The read transaction: AR and R

Issue a read on AR, collect its beats on R, read the response that rides on every beat, and see why a beat that waits for RREADY must not change.

Lesson
P2.4
Time
30 min
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5 questions

A DMA engine read four-word descriptors from a memory controller. It could take only one beat every other cycle while it pushed the words into its own FIFO, so it dropped RREADY for a cycle between beats. The controller had been written as a pipeline that advanced its read data on every cycle RVALID was high. Every bring-up test had RREADY tied high and passed; the first real run read the third word twice, never saw the fourth, and walked off the end of its buffer.

A memory that did not hold its beatMeasured with mem.drop_hold = 1: while rready is 0, the data on the wires keeps changing.
012345clkrvalidrreadyrdataa0a1a2a3a4a3rlast
  1. Cycle 0

    Beats 0 and 1 move at this edge and the next: rvalid and rready are both 1.

  2. Cycle 2

    The manager drops rready. Beat 2 is offered as a2 and must wait, unchanged.

  3. Cycle 3

    Still waiting, but the data on the wires is now a3. The subordinate advanced its pipeline. The checker names the rule stable at this edge.

  4. Cycle 4

    rready returns and the manager takes a4: a value that never existed in memory. Beat 3 follows with the right value and rlast.

A stalled beat belongs to the manager already; only the manager may decide when to take it.

A read is one request and a stream of beats

A read uses two of the five channels. The read address channel (AR) carries one request: the address, the burst description, the ID and the attributes, on ARVALID and ARREADY. The read data channel (R) brings the answer back as a stream of beats. Each beat is a handshake of RVALID and RREADY carrying RDATA, a response RRESP, the ID RID, and RLAST on the final beat. One request, ARLEN + 1 beats, and the transaction is complete at the handshake of the beat that carries RLAST.

ChannelDriven byPayloadHandshake
AR, read addressmanagerARADDR, ARLEN, ARSIZE, ARBURST, ARID, attributesARVALID out, ARREADY back
R, read datasubordinateRDATA, RRESP, RID, RLAST, one beat per handshakeRVALID out, RREADY back

The manager owns the request channel; the subordinate owns the data channel. Each is a plain valid/ready link from P1.3.

Three dependency rules tie the two channels together, and the specification states them as arrows. The subordinate must wait for the AR handshake before it raises RVALID: data is never offered for a request that has not been accepted. The subordinate must not wait for RREADY before raising RVALID. The manager may wait for RVALID before raising RREADY, or keep RREADY high in advance. The third rule is the one that stops a deadlock, exactly as valid and ready did on the generic link.

RREADY is backpressure, and a waiting beat is frozen

The manager slows a read by holding RREADY low. The subordinate keeps offering the same beat, with the same RDATA, RRESP, RID and RLAST, until an edge where RREADY is 1. Play the measured read below: the manager drops RREADY for two edges while beat 2 is on the wires, and nothing on the R channel changes until it takes the beat.

A four-beat read with a two-cycle stallMeasured on the bench: cycle 0 is edge 11, where the request is taken. Beat 2 is offered at edge 16 and taken at edge 18.
ARRVALIDRDATARREADYManagercollects beatsMemorysubordinate

The pill is a beat moving; the ring is the memory holding a beat the manager has not taken yet.

012345678clkarvalidarreadyrvalidrreadyrdataxa0a1a2a3rlast
  1. Cycle 0

    ARREADY was already high, so the request is taken in the first cycle it is offered. The memory now owes four beats.

  2. Cycle 3

    Two cycles of latency later the first beat appears, with rready high in advance: it moves at once.

  3. Cycle 4

    Beat 1 moves. With rready kept high, a beat moves every cycle.

  4. Cycle 5

    The manager drops rready. Beat 2 is offered as a2 and waits. rvalid stays 1 and a2 stays on the bus.

  5. Cycle 6

    Second stalled edge. Same beat, same value. The checker counts two stalled edges and no broken rule.

  6. Cycle 7

    rready is back. Beat 2 moves, two cycles late and exactly once.

  7. Cycle 8

    Beat 3 carries rlast. The transaction completes at this handshake.

The manager counts the edges where rvalid and rready are both 1 and gets four beats, whatever it did with rready in between.

The rule the opening story broke is the one P1.3 called hold: once a beat is offered and not taken, its RVALID and its payload stay until the handshake. The bench's checker reports it as stable with the edge where the payload changed. Run the example on this page with mem.drop_hold = 1; added before the read and you get the measured twin: two rule reports at edges 17 and 18, and rd = a0 a1 a4 a3.

The broken twin, measured. The data the manager took for beat 2 is a value that was never stored.
RULE stable broken at edge 17: R payload changed while the beat waited
RULE stable broken at edge 18: R payload changed while the beat waited
e18 R  id=1 beat 2 data=0xa4 OKAY  addr 0x108 lanes 0-3
e19 R  id=1 beat 3 data=0xa3 OKAY last  addr 0x10c lanes 0-3
rd = a0 a1 a4 a3
checker: 1 writes, 1 reads, 2 stalled edges, 2 rules broken

The specification allows a manager to keep RREADY high permanently only if it can accept a beat on every cycle from the moment it issues the request. A manager that cannot must drop RREADY, and that is legal on any beat, as often as it likes. Backpressure costs throughput and never correctness, as long as the subordinate holds the beat.

A response on every beat, and the burst never ends early

A write has one response for the whole transaction. A read carries one in every beat: RRESP says whether that beat's data is valid, and it may differ from beat to beat. The codes are the same four: OKAY, EXOKAY for a successful exclusive read, SLVERR for an error inside the subordinate, DECERR when no subordinate owns the address. An error does not stop the burst. The subordinate must still send every beat the request asked for, with RLAST on the final one, because the manager counts beats to know when the transaction is over.

Measured on the bench with mem.err_above = 32'h108; set before the read: the four-beat read of 0x100 returns beats 0 and 1 with OKAY, then beats 2 and 3 with SLVERR. The fourth beat still carries RLAST. The data of an error beat is not valid; this memory happens to return the stored bytes, and a manager must not use them.

Four beats, four responses, one RLAST. P2.13 covers what a manager does with each code.
e14 R  id=2 beat 0 data=0xa0 OKAY  addr 0x100 lanes 0-3
e15 R  id=2 beat 1 data=0xa1 OKAY  addr 0x104 lanes 0-3
e16 R  id=2 beat 2 data=0xa2 SLVERR  addr 0x108 lanes 0-3
e17 R  id=2 beat 3 data=0xa3 SLVERR last  addr 0x10c lanes 0-3

Where you will meet it

Every AXI read, on every subordinate, follows this shape; the interconnect only routes it. The same two-channel split, request then data stream, appears in TileLink's A and D channels and in CHI's request and data flits. APB and AHB have no data stream: a read there is one address phase and one data phase, and P3 and P4 show what that costs.

Asked in interviews: the read transaction
  1. When may a subordinate raise RVALID?

    Only after the AR handshake for that transaction, and never because RREADY is high. Data for a request that has not been accepted does not exist.

  2. Can RVALID wait for RREADY?

    No. A manager is allowed to wait for RVALID before raising RREADY, so a subordinate that waited for RREADY would deadlock against it. RREADY may wait for RVALID or be high in advance.

  3. Is RRESP per beat or per transaction?

    Per beat. Every read data transfer carries its own response and they may differ. A write has one BRESP for the whole transaction.

  4. What happens to a burst when one beat has an error?

    Nothing changes in its length. The subordinate sends every beat the request asked for and marks the bad ones SLVERR or DECERR; RLAST still ends the burst. No AXI transaction ends early.

  5. May the subordinate change RDATA while RREADY is low?

    No. Once RVALID is high the beat is frozen: RDATA, RRESP, RID and RLAST stay until the handshake. A pipeline that advances on RVALID alone breaks this rule.

  6. When is a read complete?

    At the handshake of the beat with RLAST. That is the read completion the ordering model counts from (P2.12).

Try it

The write fills 0x100 to 0x10f; the read brings the four words back. ready_pattern drives RREADY from a 16-bit pattern, bit (edge − 1) mod 16, so it is 0 at edges 16 and 17: beat 2 is offered at edge 16 and taken at edge 18. Run it and read the two stalled edges in the summary.

Then make the memory misbehave: add mem.drop_hold = 1; before the read and run again. The checker names stable twice and rd shows a4 where a2 should be. Change the pattern to 16'hffff and the stall disappears; change mem.err_above = 32'h108; and the last two beats come back SLVERR.

RUNIcarus Verilog · in your browser
Edit the code, then run it
Expected: e3 AW id=1 addr=0x100 len=3 size=2 INCR e4 W beat 0 data=0xa0 strb=1111 last=0 addr 0x100 lanes 0-3 e5 W beat 1 data=0xa1 strb=1111 last=0 addr 0x104 lanes 0-3 e6 W beat 2 data=0xa2 strb=1111 last=0 addr 0x108 lanes 0-3 e7 W beat 3 data=0xa3 strb=1111 last=1 addr 0x10c lanes 0-3 e10 B id=1 OKAY e11 AR id=1 addr=0x100 len=3 size=2 INCR e14 R id=1 beat 0 data=0xa0 OKAY addr 0x100 lanes 0-3 e15 R id=1 beat 1 data=0xa1 OKAY addr 0x104 lanes 0-3 e18 R id=1 beat 2 data=0xa2 OKAY addr 0x108 lanes 0-3 e19 R id=1 beat 3 data=0xa3 OKAY last addr 0x10c lanes 0-3 rd = a0 a1 a2 a3 checker: 1 writes, 1 reads, 2 stalled edges, 0 rules broken
Read included file: axi_pkg.sv
`timescale 1ns/1ns
// axi_pkg.sv: the arithmetic of a burst (read-only).
// Every transfer n of a burst has an address and a set of byte lanes, computed from the start
// address, the burst length, the transfer size and the burst type exactly as the AXI specification
// defines them. The memory, the manager tasks and the checker all use these functions, so they
// never disagree about where a byte lands.
package axi_pkg;
  localparam logic [1:0] FIXED = 2'b00, INCR = 2'b01, WRAP = 2'b10;
  localparam logic [1:0] OKAY = 2'b00, EXOKAY = 2'b01, SLVERR = 2'b10, DECERR = 2'b11;

  function automatic string burst_name(input logic [1:0] b);
    case (b) FIXED: return "FIXED"; INCR: return "INCR"; WRAP: return "WRAP"; default: return "RESERVED"; endcase
  endfunction
  function automatic string resp_name(input logic [1:0] r);
    case (r) OKAY: return "OKAY"; EXOKAY: return "EXOKAY"; SLVERR: return "SLVERR"; default: return "DECERR"; endcase
  endfunction

  // Bytes in one transfer: 1, 2, 4, ... 128.
  function automatic int bytes_of(input logic [2:0] size);
    return 1 << size;
  endfunction

  // The address of transfer n (n counts from 0).
  //   transfer 0 uses the start address as given, aligned or not;
  //   later transfers use the start address aligned down to the transfer size, plus n transfers;
  //   a WRAP burst returns to its wrap boundary (the start aligned down to the whole burst) when
  //   it reaches the end of that window; a FIXED burst repeats the start address.
  function automatic int unsigned beat_addr(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                                            input logic [1:0] burst, input int n);
    int unsigned nb = 1 << size;
    int unsigned aligned = (start / nb) * nb;
    int unsigned window = nb * (len + 1);
    int unsigned boundary = (start / window) * window;
    int unsigned a;
    if (burst == FIXED || n == 0) return start;
    a = aligned + n * nb;
    if (burst == WRAP && a >= boundary + window) a = a - window;
    return a;
  endfunction

  // The byte lanes transfer n uses on a bus of bus_bytes bytes, packed as {upper, lower}.
  // Transfer 0 of an unaligned burst (and every transfer of a FIXED burst) uses only the lanes from
  // its address up to the end of its aligned transfer; every other transfer uses all the lanes of
  // its size.
  function automatic logic [15:0] beat_lanes(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                                             input logic [1:0] burst, input int n, input int bus_bytes);
    int unsigned nb = 1 << size;
    int unsigned a = beat_addr(start, len, size, burst, n);
    int unsigned aligned = (a / nb) * nb;
    int unsigned word = (a / bus_bytes) * bus_bytes;
    int lower = a - word;
    int upper = (n == 0 || burst == FIXED) ? (aligned + nb - 1 - word) : (lower + nb - 1);
    return {upper[7:0], lower[7:0]};
  endfunction

  // The strobe of transfer n: a 1 for every lane it uses (bit l is lane l).
  function automatic logic [63:0] beat_strb(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                                            input logic [1:0] burst, input int n, input int bus_bytes);
    logic [15:0] lanes = beat_lanes(start, len, size, burst, n, bus_bytes);
    logic [63:0] s = 0;
    for (int l = lanes[7:0]; l <= lanes[15:8]; l++) s[l] = 1'b1;
    return s;
  endfunction

  // True when the burst crosses a 4 KB boundary (only an INCR burst can).
  function automatic bit crosses_4k(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst);
    if (burst != INCR) return 0;
    return (beat_addr(start, len, size, burst, 0) / 4096) != ((beat_addr(start, len, size, burst, len) + (1 << size) - 1) / 4096);
  endfunction
endpackage
Read included file: axi_mem.sv
`timescale 1ns/1ns
// axi_mem.sv: an AXI4 subordinate with a byte-addressed memory behind it (read-only in this lesson).
// It accepts requests on AW and AR, write beats on W (before or after their AW), writes the bytes a
// burst addresses using the strobes, and answers on B and R after a latency. The switches below are
// plain variables: the stimulus sets them by name (mem.reorder = 1;) before it starts.
//   rd_latency, wr_latency   cycles from a request (or its last write beat) to its first response
//   slow_latency, slow_above addresses at or above slow_above answer after slow_latency instead
//   err_above                addresses at or above err_above get SLVERR (and are not written)
//   reorder                  answer transactions with DIFFERENT IDs as soon as each is ready;
//                            transactions with the same ID still answer in order
//   interleave               interleave the read data beats of ready transactions with different IDs
//   excl_on                  support exclusive access (one monitor per ID), else answer OKAY
//   posted                   apply a write to the memory only when its response is sent, so a read
//                            that arrives between the last beat and B still sees the old bytes
//   trace                    print every byte the memory writes
// Broken twins, each off by default: early_b (B before the last write beat and before AW),
// ignore_strobes (write every lane of the bus word), drop_hold (RDATA changes while RVALID waits
// for RREADY), reorder_same_id (a later transaction with the same ID may answer first),
// wrap_bug (a WRAP burst addressed like INCR).
module axi_mem #(parameter int DATA_W = 32, parameter int ID_W = 4, parameter int DEPTH = 65536) (
  input  logic              aclk,
  input  logic              aresetn,
  input  logic [ID_W-1:0]   awid,
  input  logic [31:0]       awaddr,
  input  logic [7:0]        awlen,
  input  logic [2:0]        awsize,
  input  logic [1:0]        awburst,
  input  logic              awlock,
  input  logic [3:0]        awcache,
  input  logic [2:0]        awprot,
  input  logic              awvalid,
  output logic              awready,
  input  logic [DATA_W-1:0] wdata,
  input  logic [DATA_W/8-1:0] wstrb,
  input  logic              wlast,
  input  logic              wvalid,
  output logic              wready,
  output logic [ID_W-1:0]   bid,
  output logic [1:0]        bresp,
  output logic              bvalid,
  input  logic              bready,
  input  logic [ID_W-1:0]   arid,
  input  logic [31:0]       araddr,
  input  logic [7:0]        arlen,
  input  logic [2:0]        arsize,
  input  logic [1:0]        arburst,
  input  logic              arlock,
  input  logic [3:0]        arcache,
  input  logic [2:0]        arprot,
  input  logic              arvalid,
  output logic              arready,
  output logic [ID_W-1:0]   rid,
  output logic [DATA_W-1:0] rdata,
  output logic [1:0]        rresp,
  output logic              rlast,
  output logic              rvalid,
  input  logic              rready
);
  import axi_pkg::*;
  localparam int BUS = DATA_W / 8;
  localparam int N = 16;                      // transactions in flight per direction

  // ---- switches ----
  int rd_latency = 2, wr_latency = 2, slow_latency = 8;
  int unsigned slow_above = 32'hffff_ffff, err_above = 32'hffff_ffff;
  bit reorder = 0, interleave = 0, excl_on = 0, posted = 0, trace = 0;
  bit early_b = 0, ignore_strobes = 0, drop_hold = 0, reorder_same_id = 0, wrap_bug = 0;

  // ---- the memory ----
  logic [7:0] mem [0:DEPTH-1];
  initial for (int i = 0; i < DEPTH; i++) mem[i] = 8'h00;

  int cycle = -1;
  int seq = 0;                                // every request gets a sequence number: issue order

  // ---- write side: accepted AW requests (a ring) and write beats (a ring) ----
  logic [ID_W-1:0] aw_id [0:N-1];
  int unsigned     aw_addr [0:N-1];
  int              aw_len [0:N-1];
  logic [2:0]      aw_size [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]      aw_burst [0:N-1];
  logic            aw_lock [0:N-1];
  int aw_head = 0, aw_tail = 0, aw_count = 0;
  localparam int WQ = 1024;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] w_data [0:WQ-1];
  logic [BUS-1:0]    w_strb [0:WQ-1];
  logic              w_last [0:WQ-1];
  int w_head = 0, w_tail = 0, w_count = 0, w_bursts = 0;   // w_bursts: complete bursts in the ring

  // ---- write responses waiting for their latency ----
  logic            b_use [0:N-1];
  logic [ID_W-1:0] b_id [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]      b_rsp [0:N-1];
  int              b_at [0:N-1], b_seq [0:N-1];
  logic            b_driving = 0;
  logic            early_done = 0;            // the early_b twin answers once per burst
  // posted writes: the beats of a write kept until its response goes out
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] p_data [0:N-1][0:255];
  logic [BUS-1:0]    p_strb [0:N-1][0:255];
  int unsigned       p_addr [0:N-1];
  int                p_len [0:N-1];
  logic [2:0]        p_size [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]        p_burst [0:N-1];
  logic              p_pending [0:N-1];

  // ---- read side: accepted AR requests with their progress ----
  logic            r_use [0:N-1];
  logic [ID_W-1:0] r_id [0:N-1];
  int unsigned     r_addr [0:N-1];
  int              r_len [0:N-1];
  logic [2:0]      r_size [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]      r_burst [0:N-1];
  logic            r_lock [0:N-1];
  int              r_at [0:N-1], r_seq [0:N-1], r_beat [0:N-1], r_served [0:N-1];
  int              r_cur = -1;                // the transaction whose beat is on the wires
  logic            r_driving = 0;

  // ---- exclusive monitors, one per ID ----
  logic        mon_use [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  int unsigned mon_addr [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  int unsigned mon_bytes [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];

  initial begin
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) begin b_use[i] = 0; r_use[i] = 0; p_pending[i] = 0; end
    for (int i = 0; i < (1 << ID_W); i++) mon_use[i] = 0;
    awready = 0; wready = 0; arready = 0; bvalid = 0; rvalid = 0; bid = 0; bresp = 0; rid = 0; rresp = 0; rlast = 0; rdata = 0;
  end

  function automatic int latency_of(input int unsigned a, input int base);
    return (a >= slow_above) ? slow_latency : base;
  endfunction
  function automatic logic [1:0] burst_used(input logic [1:0] b);
    return (wrap_bug && b == WRAP) ? INCR : b;
  endfunction

  // ---- selection policies ----
  // The oldest of all pending entries, or the oldest of its ID: the in-order rule of the protocol.
  function automatic bit b_oldest(input int i, input bit same_id_only);
    for (int j = 0; j < N; j++)
      if (b_use[j] && j != i && b_seq[j] < b_seq[i] && (!same_id_only || b_id[j] == b_id[i])) return 0;
    return 1;
  endfunction
  function automatic bit r_oldest(input int i, input bit same_id_only);
    for (int j = 0; j < N; j++)
      if (r_use[j] && j != i && r_seq[j] < r_seq[i] && (!same_id_only || r_id[j] == r_id[i])) return 0;
    return 1;
  endfunction
  function automatic bit b_eligible(input int i);
    if (!b_use[i] || b_at[i] > cycle) return 0;
    if (!reorder) return b_oldest(i, 0);
    return reorder_same_id ? 1 : b_oldest(i, 1);
  endfunction
  function automatic bit r_eligible(input int i);
    if (!r_use[i] || r_at[i] > cycle) return 0;
    if (!reorder) return r_oldest(i, 0);
    return reorder_same_id ? 1 : r_oldest(i, 1);
  endfunction
  function automatic int free_b();
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (!b_use[i]) return i;
    return -1;
  endfunction
  function automatic int free_r();
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (!r_use[i]) return i;
    return -1;
  endfunction
  function automatic int pick_b();
    int best = -1;
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (b_eligible(i) && (best < 0 || b_seq[i] < b_seq[best])) best = i;
    return best;
  endfunction
  function automatic int pick_r();
    int best = -1;
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (r_eligible(i)) begin
      if (best < 0) best = i;
      else if (interleave ? (r_served[i] < r_served[best]) : (r_seq[i] < r_seq[best])) best = i;
    end
    return best;
  endfunction

  // ---- the bytes of one read beat, as the bus word that holds them ----
  function automatic logic [DATA_W-1:0] read_word(input int unsigned a);
    logic [DATA_W-1:0] d = 0;
    int unsigned word = (a / BUS) * BUS;
    for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++) d[8*l +: 8] = (word + l < DEPTH) ? mem[word + l] : 8'h00;
    return d;
  endfunction

  // ---- the write of one complete burst into the memory ----
  task automatic write_burst(input int e);
    logic [1:0]  rsp = OKAY;
    logic        do_write = 1, ended = 0;
    int unsigned a, word;
    logic [15:0] lanes;
    int          n = 0, slot;
    int unsigned total = (1 << aw_size[e]) * (aw_len[e] + 1);
    slot = free_b();
    if (aw_lock[e] && excl_on) begin
      if (mon_use[aw_id[e]] && mon_addr[aw_id[e]] == aw_addr[e]) begin
        rsp = EXOKAY;
        $display("mem e%0d: exclusive write id=%0d at 0x%0h: the monitor matched, EXOKAY", cycle, aw_id[e], aw_addr[e]);
      end else begin
        do_write = 0;
        $display("mem e%0d: exclusive write id=%0d at 0x%0h: no monitor, OKAY and nothing written", cycle, aw_id[e], aw_addr[e]);
      end
    end
    while (!ended && n <= aw_len[e]) begin
      a = beat_addr(aw_addr[e], aw_len[e], aw_size[e], burst_used(aw_burst[e]), n);
      lanes = beat_lanes(aw_addr[e], aw_len[e], aw_size[e], burst_used(aw_burst[e]), n, BUS);
      word = (a / BUS) * BUS;
      if (a >= err_above) rsp = SLVERR;
      else if (do_write && posted && slot >= 0) begin
        p_data[slot][n] = w_data[w_head]; p_strb[slot][n] = w_strb[w_head];
      end else if (do_write) begin
        for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++)
          if ((w_strb[w_head][l] || ignore_strobes) && word + l < DEPTH) begin
            mem[word + l] = w_data[w_head][8*l +: 8];
            if (trace) $display("mem e%0d: beat %0d writes 0x%02h to 0x%0h (lane %0d)", cycle, n, w_data[w_head][8*l +: 8], word + l, l);
          end
      end
      ended = w_last[w_head];                      // a burst ends at its WLAST, whatever AWLEN said
      w_head = (w_head + 1) % WQ; w_count = w_count - 1;
      n = n + 1;
    end
    while (!ended) begin                           // beats past AWLEN (a broken manager) are dropped
      ended = w_last[w_head];
      w_head = (w_head + 1) % WQ; w_count = w_count - 1;
    end
    // A write clears every monitor that watches a byte it touched.
    if (do_write)
      for (int i = 0; i < (1 << ID_W); i++)
        if (mon_use[i] && mon_addr[i] < aw_addr[e] + total && aw_addr[e] < mon_addr[i] + mon_bytes[i]) mon_use[i] = 0;
    if (slot >= 0) begin
      b_use[slot] = 1; b_id[slot] = aw_id[e]; b_rsp[slot] = rsp; b_seq[slot] = seq; seq = seq + 1;
      b_at[slot] = cycle + latency_of(aw_addr[e], wr_latency);
      if (posted && do_write) begin
        p_pending[slot] = 1; p_addr[slot] = aw_addr[e]; p_len[slot] = n - 1; p_size[slot] = aw_size[e]; p_burst[slot] = aw_burst[e];
      end
    end
  endtask

  // A posted write reaches the memory when its response goes out.
  task automatic apply_posted(input int i);
    int unsigned a, word;
    for (int n = 0; n <= p_len[i]; n++) begin
      a = beat_addr(p_addr[i], p_len[i], p_size[i], burst_used(p_burst[i]), n);
      word = (a / BUS) * BUS;
      if (a < err_above)
        for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++)
          if ((p_strb[i][n][l] || ignore_strobes) && word + l < DEPTH) begin
            mem[word + l] = p_data[i][n][8*l +: 8];
            if (trace) $display("mem e%0d: posted beat %0d writes 0x%02h to 0x%0h (lane %0d)", cycle, n, p_data[i][n][8*l +: 8], word + l, l);
          end
    end
    p_pending[i] = 0;
  endtask

  int pick, extra;
  always @(posedge aclk) begin
    cycle = cycle + 1;
    if (!aresetn) begin
      aw_head = 0; aw_tail = 0; aw_count = 0; w_head = 0; w_tail = 0; w_count = 0; w_bursts = 0;
      for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) begin b_use[i] = 0; r_use[i] = 0; end
      b_driving = 0; r_driving = 0; r_cur = -1;
      awready <= 0; wready <= 0; arready <= 0; bvalid <= 0; rvalid <= 0;
    end else begin
      // -- AW: take a request while there is room --
      if (awvalid && awready) begin
        aw_id[aw_tail] = awid; aw_addr[aw_tail] = awaddr; aw_len[aw_tail] = awlen; aw_size[aw_tail] = awsize;
        aw_burst[aw_tail] = awburst; aw_lock[aw_tail] = awlock;
        aw_tail = (aw_tail + 1) % N; aw_count = aw_count + 1;
      end
      // -- W: take a beat while there is room --
      if (wvalid && wready) begin
        w_data[w_tail] = wdata; w_strb[w_tail] = wstrb; w_last[w_tail] = wlast;
        w_tail = (w_tail + 1) % WQ; w_count = w_count + 1;
        if (wlast) w_bursts = w_bursts + 1;
      end
      // -- a complete burst with its request: write it and schedule B --
      if (aw_count > 0 && w_bursts > 0) begin
        write_burst(aw_head);
        aw_head = (aw_head + 1) % N; aw_count = aw_count - 1; w_bursts = w_bursts - 1;
        early_done = 0;
      end else if (early_b && !early_done && w_count > 0 && w_bursts == 0) begin
        // The broken twin: a response as soon as the first write beat arrived, before WLAST and,
        // when the data came first, before the address.
        pick = free_b();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          b_use[pick] = 1; b_id[pick] = (aw_count > 0) ? aw_id[aw_head] : awid; b_rsp[pick] = OKAY; b_seq[pick] = seq; seq = seq + 1; b_at[pick] = cycle;
          early_done = 1;
        end
      end
      // -- B: finish a handshake, then put the next response on the wires --
      if (b_driving && bready) b_driving = 0;
      if (!b_driving) begin
        pick = pick_b();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          if (p_pending[pick]) apply_posted(pick);
          b_driving = 1; bid <= b_id[pick]; bresp <= b_rsp[pick]; b_use[pick] = 0;
        end
      end
      bvalid <= b_driving;
      // -- AR: take a request while there is room --
      if (arvalid && arready) begin
        pick = free_r();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          r_use[pick] = 1; r_id[pick] = arid; r_addr[pick] = araddr; r_len[pick] = arlen; r_size[pick] = arsize; r_burst[pick] = arburst;
          r_lock[pick] = arlock; r_beat[pick] = 0; r_seq[pick] = seq; seq = seq + 1; r_served[pick] = -1;
          r_at[pick] = cycle + latency_of(araddr, rd_latency);
          if (arlock && excl_on) begin
            mon_use[arid] = 1; mon_addr[arid] = araddr; mon_bytes[arid] = (1 << arsize) * (arlen + 1);
            $display("mem e%0d: exclusive read id=%0d at 0x%0h: monitor set", cycle, arid, araddr);
          end
        end
      end
      // -- R: finish a handshake, then put the next beat on the wires --
      if (r_driving && !rready && drop_hold) rdata <= rdata + 1;   // the broken twin: data not held
      if (r_driving && rready) begin
        r_driving = 0;
        if (r_beat[r_cur] > r_len[r_cur]) begin r_use[r_cur] = 0; r_cur = -1; end
        else if (interleave) r_cur = -1;
      end
      if (!r_driving) begin
        pick = (r_cur >= 0) ? r_cur : pick_r();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          r_cur = pick; r_driving = 1; r_served[pick] = cycle;
          extra = r_beat[pick];
          rid <= r_id[pick];
          rdata <= read_word(beat_addr(r_addr[pick], r_len[pick], r_size[pick], burst_used(r_burst[pick]), extra));
          rresp <= (beat_addr(r_addr[pick], r_len[pick], r_size[pick], burst_used(r_burst[pick]), extra) >= err_above) ? SLVERR
                 : ((r_lock[pick] && excl_on) ? EXOKAY : OKAY);
          rlast <= (extra == r_len[pick]);
          r_beat[pick] = extra + 1;
        end
      end
      rvalid <= r_driving;
      awready <= (aw_count < N - 1);
      wready  <= (w_count < WQ - 2);
      arready <= 1;
    end
  end
endmodule
Read included file: axi_checker.sv
`timescale 1ns/1ns
// axi_checker.sv: the rules of an AXI4 interface, checked at every rising edge (read-only).
// Each broken rule is named with the channel and the edge where it was seen:
//   reset      a VALID is 1 while reset is active;
//   hold       a VALID dropped before its READY: the offer was withdrawn;
//   stable     a channel's payload changed while its offer waited;
//   known      a payload is x while its VALID is 1;
//   len        a FIXED or WRAP burst longer than 16 beats;
//   wrap       a WRAP burst whose length is not 2, 4, 8 or 16 beats or whose address is not aligned;
//   boundary   a burst that crosses a 4 KB boundary;
//   size       a transfer wider than the data bus;
//   strobe     a write strobe on a lane the beat does not address;
//   wlast      WLAST on the wrong beat (not AWLEN), or missing after it;
//   rlast      RLAST on the wrong beat of the oldest read with that ID, or missing after it;
//   border     BVALID before any outstanding write has its last beat, or before its AW;
//   bid, rid   a response ID with no outstanding request of that ID;
//   exokay     EXOKAY for a request that was not exclusive;
//   exclusive  an exclusive request whose bytes are not a power of two up to 128, or not aligned to them.
// The rules no checker can see on the wires (VALID must not wait for READY; same-ID responses
// in the order of their requests) are checked by the data the tasks compare (lessons P2.2, P2.10).
module axi_checker #(parameter int DATA_W = 32, parameter int ID_W = 4) (
  input logic              aclk,
  input logic              aresetn,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   awid,
  input logic [31:0]       awaddr,
  input logic [7:0]        awlen,
  input logic [2:0]        awsize,
  input logic [1:0]        awburst,
  input logic              awlock,
  input logic              awvalid,
  input logic              awready,
  input logic [DATA_W-1:0] wdata,
  input logic [DATA_W/8-1:0] wstrb,
  input logic              wlast,
  input logic              wvalid,
  input logic              wready,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   bid,
  input logic [1:0]        bresp,
  input logic              bvalid,
  input logic              bready,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   arid,
  input logic [31:0]       araddr,
  input logic [7:0]        arlen,
  input logic [2:0]        arsize,
  input logic [1:0]        arburst,
  input logic              arlock,
  input logic              arvalid,
  input logic              arready,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   rid,
  input logic [DATA_W-1:0] rdata,
  input logic [1:0]        rresp,
  input logic              rlast,
  input logic              rvalid,
  input logic              rready
);
  import axi_pkg::*;
  localparam int BUS = DATA_W / 8;
  localparam int Q = 64;
  int cycle = -1, writes = 0, reads = 0, stalls = 0, broken = 0;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] used;

  function void report(input string rule, input string what);
    broken++;
    $display("RULE %s broken at edge %0d: %s", rule, cycle, what);
  endfunction

  // Previous values of every channel, for hold and stable.
  logic p_awv = 0, p_awr = 0, p_wv = 0, p_wr = 0, p_bv = 0, p_br = 0, p_arv = 0, p_arr = 0, p_rv = 0, p_rr = 0;
  logic [31:0] p_awaddr, p_araddr;
  logic [7:0] p_awlen, p_arlen;
  logic [2:0] p_awsize, p_arsize;
  logic [1:0] p_awburst, p_arburst, p_bresp, p_rresp;
  logic [ID_W-1:0] p_awid, p_arid, p_bid, p_rid;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] p_wdata, p_rdata;
  logic [BUS-1:0] p_wstrb;
  logic p_wlast, p_rlast, p_awlock, p_arlock;

  // Write requests in order (AXI4 write data follows the order of the addresses).
  int unsigned q_addr [0:Q-1];
  int q_len [0:Q-1];
  logic [2:0] q_size [0:Q-1];
  logic [1:0] q_burst [0:Q-1];
  int aw_n = 0;                 // requests accepted
  int wb_n = 0;                 // write bursts started
  int wb_done = 0;              // write bursts ended (WLAST seen)
  int w_beat = 0;               // beats so far in the current burst
  int b_n = 0;                  // responses given
  // Beats recorded for bursts that ran ahead of their AW: strobes and count, checked when AW arrives.
  logic [BUS-1:0] rec_strb [0:Q-1][0:255];
  int rec_beats [0:Q-1];
  logic rec_open [0:Q-1];
  // Outstanding requests per ID, and the read requests per ID in order.
  int aw_out [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], ar_out [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], aw_excl [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], ar_excl [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  int rq_len [0:(1<<ID_W)-1][0:15];
  int rq_head [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], rq_tail [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], r_beat [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  initial for (int i = 0; i < (1 << ID_W); i++) begin aw_out[i] = 0; ar_out[i] = 0; aw_excl[i] = 0; ar_excl[i] = 0; rq_head[i] = 0; rq_tail[i] = 0; r_beat[i] = 0; end
  initial for (int i = 0; i < Q; i++) begin rec_beats[i] = 0; rec_open[i] = 0; end

  function automatic bit pow2_le128(input int unsigned n);
    return (n == 1 || n == 2 || n == 4 || n == 8 || n == 16 || n == 32 || n == 64 || n == 128);
  endfunction

  task automatic check_request(input string ch, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock);
    int unsigned bytes = (1 << size) * (len + 1);
    if ((burst == FIXED || burst == WRAP) && len > 15) report("len", $sformatf("%s: a %s burst of %0d beats (16 at most)", ch, burst_name(burst), len + 1));
    if (burst == WRAP && !(len == 1 || len == 3 || len == 7 || len == 15)) report("wrap", $sformatf("%s: a WRAP burst of %0d beats (2, 4, 8 or 16)", ch, len + 1));
    if (burst == WRAP && (addr % (1 << size)) != 0) report("wrap", $sformatf("%s: WRAP burst at 0x%0h is not aligned to its %0d-byte transfers", ch, addr, 1 << size));
    if (burst == 2'b11) report("len", $sformatf("%s: burst type 2'b11 is reserved", ch));
    if ((1 << size) > BUS) report("size", $sformatf("%s: %0d-byte transfers on a %0d-byte bus", ch, 1 << size, BUS));
    if (crosses_4k(addr, len, size, burst)) report("boundary", $sformatf("%s: burst at 0x%0h, %0d beats of %0d bytes, crosses a 4 KB boundary", ch, addr, len + 1, 1 << size));
    if (lock && (!pow2_le128(bytes) || (addr % bytes) != 0)) report("exclusive", $sformatf("%s: exclusive access of %0d bytes at 0x%0h (a power of two up to 128, aligned)", ch, bytes, addr));
  endtask

  task automatic check_strobe(input int k, input int n, input logic [BUS-1:0] strb);
    logic [63:0] allowed = beat_strb(q_addr[k % Q], q_len[k % Q], q_size[k % Q], q_burst[k % Q], n, BUS);
    if ((strb & ~allowed[BUS-1:0]) != 0)
      report("strobe", $sformatf("W beat %0d of write %0d: strobe %b on lanes outside %b", n, k, strb, allowed[BUS-1:0]));
  endtask

  always @(posedge aclk) begin
    cycle++;
    if (!aresetn) begin
      if (awvalid === 1 || wvalid === 1 || arvalid === 1) report("reset", "a manager VALID is 1 during reset");
      if (bvalid === 1 || rvalid === 1) report("reset", "a subordinate VALID is 1 during reset");
    end else begin
      // hold, stable and known, per channel
      if (p_awv && !p_awr && awvalid !== 1) report("hold", "AWVALID dropped before AWREADY");
      if (p_awv && !p_awr && awvalid === 1 && (awaddr !== p_awaddr || awlen !== p_awlen || awsize !== p_awsize || awburst !== p_awburst || awid !== p_awid || awlock !== p_awlock)) report("stable", "AW payload changed while the request waited");
      if (p_wv && !p_wr && wvalid !== 1) report("hold", "WVALID dropped before WREADY");
      if (p_wv && !p_wr && wvalid === 1 && (wdata !== p_wdata || wstrb !== p_wstrb || wlast !== p_wlast)) report("stable", "W payload changed while the beat waited");
      if (p_bv && !p_br && bvalid !== 1) report("hold", "BVALID dropped before BREADY");
      if (p_bv && !p_br && bvalid === 1 && (bresp !== p_bresp || bid !== p_bid)) report("stable", "B payload changed while the response waited");
      if (p_arv && !p_arr && arvalid !== 1) report("hold", "ARVALID dropped before ARREADY");
      if (p_arv && !p_arr && arvalid === 1 && (araddr !== p_araddr || arlen !== p_arlen || arsize !== p_arsize || arburst !== p_arburst || arid !== p_arid || arlock !== p_arlock)) report("stable", "AR payload changed while the request waited");
      if (p_rv && !p_rr && rvalid !== 1) report("hold", "RVALID dropped before RREADY");
      if (p_rv && !p_rr && rvalid === 1 && (rdata !== p_rdata || rresp !== p_rresp || rid !== p_rid || rlast !== p_rlast)) report("stable", "R payload changed while the beat waited");
      if (awvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(awaddr) || $isunknown(awlen) || $isunknown(awsize) || $isunknown(awburst) || $isunknown(awid))) report("known", "AW payload is x while AWVALID is 1");
      if (wvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(wstrb) || $isunknown(wlast))) report("known", "W strobe or last is x while WVALID is 1");
      else if (wvalid === 1) begin
        used = '0;
        for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++) if (wstrb[l] === 1) used[8*l +: 8] = 8'hff;
        if ($isunknown(wdata & used)) report("known", "W data is x on a strobed lane while WVALID is 1");
      end
      if (arvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(araddr) || $isunknown(arlen) || $isunknown(arsize) || $isunknown(arburst) || $isunknown(arid))) report("known", "AR payload is x while ARVALID is 1");
      if (bvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(bresp) || $isunknown(bid))) report("known", "B payload is x while BVALID is 1");
      if (rvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(rresp) || $isunknown(rid) || $isunknown(rlast))) report("known", "R payload is x while RVALID is 1");
      if ((awvalid === 1 && awready !== 1) || (wvalid === 1 && wready !== 1) || (arvalid === 1 && arready !== 1) ||
          (bvalid === 1 && bready !== 1) || (rvalid === 1 && rready !== 1)) stalls++;
      // AW accepted
      if (awvalid === 1 && awready === 1) begin
        check_request("AW", awaddr, awlen, awsize, awburst, awlock);
        q_addr[aw_n % Q] = awaddr; q_len[aw_n % Q] = awlen; q_size[aw_n % Q] = awsize; q_burst[aw_n % Q] = awburst;
        aw_out[awid]++; if (awlock) aw_excl[awid]++;
        // beats of this write that arrived before its address: check them now
        if (rec_beats[aw_n % Q] > 0) begin
          for (int n = 0; n < rec_beats[aw_n % Q]; n++) check_strobe(aw_n, n, rec_strb[aw_n % Q][n]);
          if (!rec_open[aw_n % Q] && rec_beats[aw_n % Q] != awlen + 1)
            report("wlast", $sformatf("write %0d sent %0d beats before its AW said AWLEN=%0d", aw_n, rec_beats[aw_n % Q], awlen));
          if (!rec_open[aw_n % Q]) rec_beats[aw_n % Q] = 0;
        end
        aw_n++;
      end
      // W beat accepted
      if (wvalid === 1 && wready === 1) begin
        if (w_beat == 0) begin wb_n++; rec_beats[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 0; rec_open[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 1; end
        if (wb_n <= aw_n) begin
          check_strobe(wb_n - 1, w_beat, wstrb);
          if (wlast === 1 && w_beat != q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]) report("wlast", $sformatf("WLAST on beat %0d of write %0d, AWLEN=%0d", w_beat, wb_n - 1, q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]));
          if (wlast !== 1 && w_beat == q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]) report("wlast", $sformatf("beat %0d of write %0d is AWLEN=%0d but WLAST is 0", w_beat, wb_n - 1, q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]));
        end else begin
          rec_strb[(wb_n - 1) % Q][w_beat] = wstrb;
        end
        rec_beats[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = w_beat + 1;
        w_beat++;
        if (wlast === 1) begin w_beat = 0; wb_done++; rec_open[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 0; if (wb_n <= aw_n) rec_beats[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 0; end
      end
      // B offered or accepted
      if (bvalid === 1 && !p_bv) begin
        if (b_n >= aw_n && b_n >= wb_done) report("border", "BVALID with no write to answer: neither an AW nor a WLAST is outstanding");
        else if (b_n >= wb_done) report("border", "BVALID before the last beat of the write it answers");
        else if (b_n >= aw_n) report("border", "BVALID before the AW of the write it answers was accepted");
      end
      if (bvalid === 1 && bready === 1) begin
        if (aw_out[bid] == 0) report("bid", $sformatf("B with id %0d, which has no outstanding write", bid));
        else begin
          aw_out[bid]--; writes++;
          if (bresp === EXOKAY && aw_excl[bid] == 0) report("exokay", $sformatf("EXOKAY for write id %0d, which was not exclusive", bid));
          if (aw_excl[bid] > 0 && aw_excl[bid] > aw_out[bid]) aw_excl[bid] = aw_out[bid];
        end
        b_n++;
      end
      // AR accepted
      if (arvalid === 1 && arready === 1) begin
        check_request("AR", araddr, arlen, arsize, arburst, arlock);
        rq_len[arid][rq_tail[arid]] = arlen; rq_tail[arid] = (rq_tail[arid] + 1) % 16;
        ar_out[arid]++; if (arlock) ar_excl[arid]++;
      end
      // R beat accepted
      if (rvalid === 1 && rready === 1) begin
        if (ar_out[rid] == 0) report("rid", $sformatf("R with id %0d, which has no outstanding read", rid));
        else begin
          if (rlast === 1 && r_beat[rid] != rq_len[rid][rq_head[rid]])
            report("rlast", $sformatf("RLAST on beat %0d of the oldest read with id %0d, whose ARLEN is %0d", r_beat[rid], rid, rq_len[rid][rq_head[rid]]));
          if (rlast !== 1 && r_beat[rid] == rq_len[rid][rq_head[rid]])
            report("rlast", $sformatf("beat %0d of the oldest read with id %0d is its ARLEN but RLAST is 0", r_beat[rid], rid));
          if (rresp === EXOKAY && ar_excl[rid] == 0) report("exokay", $sformatf("EXOKAY for read id %0d, which was not exclusive", rid));
          r_beat[rid]++;
          if (rlast === 1) begin
            r_beat[rid] = 0; rq_head[rid] = (rq_head[rid] + 1) % 16; ar_out[rid]--; reads++;
            if (ar_excl[rid] > ar_out[rid]) ar_excl[rid] = ar_out[rid];
          end
        end
      end
    end
    p_awv = (awvalid === 1); p_awr = (awready === 1); p_wv = (wvalid === 1); p_wr = (wready === 1);
    p_bv = (bvalid === 1); p_br = (bready === 1); p_arv = (arvalid === 1); p_arr = (arready === 1);
    p_rv = (rvalid === 1); p_rr = (rready === 1);
    p_awaddr = awaddr; p_awlen = awlen; p_awsize = awsize; p_awburst = awburst; p_awid = awid; p_awlock = awlock;
    p_wdata = wdata; p_wstrb = wstrb; p_wlast = wlast; p_bresp = bresp; p_bid = bid;
    p_araddr = araddr; p_arlen = arlen; p_arsize = arsize; p_arburst = arburst; p_arid = arid; p_arlock = arlock;
    p_rdata = rdata; p_rresp = rresp; p_rid = rid; p_rlast = rlast;
  end
  final $display("checker: %0d writes, %0d reads, %0d stalled edges, %0d rules broken", writes, reads, stalls, broken);
endmodule
Read included file: axi_tasks.svh
// axi_tasks.svh: the manager side of the bench, as tasks for the stimulus (read-only).
// Data for a write burst goes in wd[0], wd[1], ... (one entry per beat, the lowest byte at the
// lowest address); the data of a read comes back in rd[0], rd[1], ... with its responses in rr[].
// Every task prints the beat log: one line per handshake, with the edge where it happened.
// `cycle` counts rising edges from 0.
int cycle = -1;
always @(posedge aclk) cycle = cycle + 1;

logic [63:0] wd [0:255];
logic [63:0] rd [0:255];
logic [1:0]  rr [0:255];
logic [63:0] rdq [0:15][0:255];     // read data per ID, for reads collected out of order
logic [1:0]  rrq [0:15][0:255];
int          rdn [0:15];            // beats received per ID
logic [1:0]  last_bresp = 0;
int          last_beats = 0;
// What the task is driving right now, for the waveform scenes: the address and lanes of the beat.
int unsigned beat_a = 0;
logic [7:0]  beat_m = 0;
// quiet = 1 silences the beat log (a predict item can then ask for a dump line instead).
bit          quiet = 0;
// Strobe override: when strb_force is 1, every write beat uses strb_val as it is.
bit          strb_force = 0;
logic [7:0]  strb_val = 8'hff;
// Outstanding read requests per ID, so the tasks know the lanes of the beats that come back.
int unsigned arq_addr [0:15][0:7];
int          arq_len [0:15][0:7];
logic [2:0]  arq_size [0:15][0:7];
logic [1:0]  arq_burst [0:15][0:7];
int          arq_head [0:15], arq_tail [0:15];
initial for (int i = 0; i < 16; i++) begin arq_head[i] = 0; arq_tail[i] = 0; rdn[i] = 0; end
// READY patterns for the response channels: bit (cycle % 16) of the pattern drives the signal.
bit          rpat_on = 0, bpat_on = 0;
logic [15:0] rpat = 16'hffff, bpat = 16'hffff;
always @(posedge aclk) begin
  #1;
  if (rpat_on) rready = rpat[cycle % 16];
  if (bpat_on) bready = bpat[cycle % 16];
end

// A text waveform for the lesson's trace blocks: with watch = 1, one line per rising edge with the
// values sampled at that edge (cycle k of a trace is what edge k sees).
bit watch = 0;
int wave_edge = -1;
always @(posedge aclk) begin
  wave_edge = wave_edge + 1;
  if (watch) $display("wave e%0d: aw=%b%b w=%b%b b=%b%b ar=%b%b r=%b%b awaddr=%h wdata=%h wstrb=%b wlast=%b bid=%h bresp=%b araddr=%h rid=%h rdata=%h rresp=%b rlast=%b",
                      wave_edge, awvalid, awready, wvalid, wready, bvalid, bready, arvalid, arready, rvalid, rready,
                      awaddr, wdata, wstrb, wlast, bid, bresp, araddr, rid, rdata, rresp, rlast);
end

// Drive RREADY (ch = 0) or BREADY (ch = 1) from a 16-bit pattern; 16'hffff restores always ready.
task automatic ready_pattern(input int ch, input logic [15:0] pat);
  if (ch == 0) begin rpat = pat; rpat_on = 1; rready = pat[cycle % 16]; end
  else begin bpat = pat; bpat_on = 1; bready = pat[cycle % 16]; end
endtask

// The write address channel: offer the request and hold it until it is taken.
task automatic aw_issue(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                        input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock = 0);
  awid = id; awaddr = addr; awlen = len[7:0]; awsize = size; awburst = burst; awlock = lock; awvalid = 1;
  do @(posedge aclk); while (!awready);
  #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d AW id=%0d addr=0x%0h len=%0d size=%0d %0s%0s", cycle, id, addr, len, size, burst_name(burst), lock ? " exclusive" : "");
  awvalid = 0; awaddr = 'x; awlen = 'x; awsize = 'x; awburst = 'x; awid = 'x; awlock = 0;
endtask

// The write data channel: the beats of one burst from wd[first..], each placed in its lanes.
task automatic w_burst(input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst, input int first = 0);
  logic [15:0] lanes;
  for (int n = 0; n <= len; n++) begin
    lanes = beat_lanes(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    beat_a = beat_addr(addr, len, size, burst, n);
    beat_m = strb_force ? strb_val : beat_strb(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    wdata = wd[first + n] << (8 * lanes[7:0]);
    wstrb = beat_m[BUS_BYTES-1:0];
    wlast = (n == len);
    wvalid = 1;
    do @(posedge aclk); while (!wready);
    #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d W  beat %0d data=0x%0h strb=%b last=%0d  addr 0x%0h lanes %0d-%0d", cycle, n, wdata, wstrb, wlast, beat_a, lanes[7:0], lanes[15:8]);
  end
  wvalid = 0; wdata = 'x; wstrb = 'x; wlast = 0; beat_m = 0;
endtask

// Wait for the write response of one transaction with this ID.
task automatic b_wait(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id);
  do @(posedge aclk); while (!(bvalid && bready && bid == id));
  last_bresp = bresp;                       // sampled at the edge, before the subordinate moves on
  #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d B  id=%0d %0s", cycle, id, resp_name(last_bresp));
endtask

// A complete write. order 0 offers the address, then the first beat one cycle later whether or
// not the address has been taken yet (a manager must never make WVALID wait for AWREADY); 1 offers
// the beats first and the address after beat 0; 2 offers the address and beat 0 in the same cycle.
// Returns after B, with the response in last_bresp.
task automatic axi_write(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                         input logic [1:0] burst, input int order = 0, input logic lock = 0);
  case (order)
    1: fork
         w_burst(addr, len, size, burst);
         begin @(posedge aclk); #1 aw_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock); end
       join
    2: fork
         aw_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock);
         w_burst(addr, len, size, burst);
       join
    default: fork
         aw_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock);
         begin @(posedge aclk); #1 w_burst(addr, len, size, burst); end
       join
  endcase
  b_wait(id);
endtask

// The read address channel: offer the request and remember it for the beats that come back.
task automatic ar_issue(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                        input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock = 0);
  arq_addr[id][arq_tail[id]] = addr; arq_len[id][arq_tail[id]] = len; arq_size[id][arq_tail[id]] = size;
  arq_burst[id][arq_tail[id]] = burst; arq_tail[id] = (arq_tail[id] + 1) % 8;
  arid = id; araddr = addr; arlen = len[7:0]; arsize = size; arburst = burst; arlock = lock; arvalid = 1;
  do @(posedge aclk); while (!arready);
  #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d AR id=%0d addr=0x%0h len=%0d size=%0d %0s%0s", cycle, id, addr, len, size, burst_name(burst), lock ? " exclusive" : "");
  arvalid = 0; araddr = 'x; arlen = 'x; arsize = 'x; arburst = 'x; arid = 'x; arlock = 0;
endtask

// Collect read beats until n transactions have ended (their RLAST). Each beat lands in rdq[rid][k]
// with only the bytes of the transfer (lane-shifted down), and rd[] holds the last transaction.
task automatic r_collect(input int n);
  int done = 0, h;
  logic [15:0] lanes;
  logic [63:0] bytes;
  logic [ID_W-1:0] id;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] data;
  logic [1:0] resp;
  logic last;
  while (done < n) begin
    do @(posedge aclk); while (!(rvalid && rready));
    id = rid; data = rdata; resp = rresp; last = rlast;   // sampled at the edge, before the subordinate moves on
    h = arq_head[id];
    lanes = beat_lanes(arq_addr[id][h], arq_len[id][h], arq_size[id][h], arq_burst[id][h], rdn[id], BUS_BYTES);
    beat_a = beat_addr(arq_addr[id][h], arq_len[id][h], arq_size[id][h], arq_burst[id][h], rdn[id]);
    beat_m = beat_strb(arq_addr[id][h], arq_len[id][h], arq_size[id][h], arq_burst[id][h], rdn[id], BUS_BYTES);
    bytes = (data >> (8 * lanes[7:0])) & ((64'h1 << (8 * (lanes[15:8] - lanes[7:0] + 1))) - 1);
    rdq[id][rdn[id]] = bytes; rrq[id][rdn[id]] = resp;
    #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d R  id=%0d beat %0d data=0x%0h %0s%0s  addr 0x%0h lanes %0d-%0d", cycle, id, rdn[id], bytes, resp_name(resp),
                last ? " last" : "", beat_a, lanes[7:0], lanes[15:8]);
    rdn[id] = rdn[id] + 1;
    if (last) begin
      for (int k = 0; k < rdn[id]; k++) begin rd[k] = rdq[id][k]; rr[k] = rrq[id][k]; end
      last_beats = rdn[id]; rdn[id] = 0; arq_head[id] = (h + 1) % 8; done = done + 1;
    end
  end
  beat_m = 0;
endtask

// A complete read: AR, then every beat, into rd[] and rr[].
task automatic axi_read(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                        input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock = 0);
  ar_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock);
  r_collect(1);
endtask

// The table of a burst before it runs: the address, lanes and strobe of every beat.
task automatic beat_table(input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst);
  logic [15:0] lanes;
  logic [63:0] s;
  int unsigned a;
  $display("burst at 0x%0h: %0d beat%0s of %0d byte%0s, %0s, bus %0d bytes", addr, len + 1, len ? "s" : "", 1 << size, size ? "s" : "",
           burst_name(burst), BUS_BYTES);
  $display("  beat  address  lanes  strobe");
  for (int n = 0; n <= len; n++) begin
    lanes = beat_lanes(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    s = beat_strb(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    a = beat_addr(addr, len, size, burst, n);
    $display("  %4d  0x%05h  %0d-%0d    %b", n, a[19:0], lanes[7:0], lanes[15:8], s[BUS_BYTES-1:0]);
  end
  if (crosses_4k(addr, len, size, burst)) $display("  this burst crosses a 4 KB boundary");
endtask

// One byte of the memory that owns an address (the fabric's second memory above 0x8000).
function automatic logic [7:0] mem_byte(input int unsigned a);
`ifdef AXI_MEM1
  if (a >= 32'h8000) return `AXI_MEM1.mem[a];
`endif
  return `AXI_MEM.mem[a];
endfunction
task automatic set_byte(input int unsigned a, input logic [7:0] v);
`ifdef AXI_MEM1
  if (a >= 32'h8000) `AXI_MEM1.mem[a] = v;
  else `AXI_MEM.mem[a] = v;
`else
  `AXI_MEM.mem[a] = v;
`endif
endtask

// The memory, n bytes from addr, one bus word per group.
task automatic dump(input int unsigned addr, input int n);
  string line;
  int unsigned a = (addr / 16) * 16;
  while (a < addr + n) begin
    line = $sformatf("0x%05h ", a[19:0]);
    for (int i = 0; i < 16; i++) begin
      if (i % BUS_BYTES == 0) line = {line, " "};
      line = {line, $sformatf(" %02h", mem_byte(a + i))};
    end
    $display("%s", line);
    a = a + 16;
  end
endtask

// Fill n bytes from addr with first, first+1, ... so untouched bytes stay recognisable.
task automatic mem_fill(input int unsigned addr, input int n, input logic [7:0] first = 8'h00);
  for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) set_byte(addr + i, first + i[7:0]);
endtask

// Drive nothing for n cycles.
task automatic idle(input int n);
  repeat (n) @(posedge aclk);
  #1;
endtask

Check yourself

Predict the outputA 2-beat read is driven by hand. The manager keeps RREADY at 0 for exactly three rising edges after RVALID first rises, then raises it and takes both beats. The memory holds its beats correctly. The checker prints one summary line at the end. What is it?
`timescale 1ns/1ps
module tb;
  import axi_pkg::*;
  localparam int DATA_W = 32, ID_W = 4, BUS_BYTES = DATA_W / 8;
  logic aclk = 0, aresetn = 0;
  always #5 aclk = ~aclk;                 // rising edges at 5, 15, 25, ...
  logic [ID_W-1:0]   awid = 0, bid, arid = 0, rid;
  logic [31:0]       awaddr = 0, araddr = 0;
  logic [7:0]        awlen = 0, arlen = 0;
  logic [2:0]        awsize = 0, arsize = 0;
  logic [1:0]        awburst = 0, arburst = 0, bresp, rresp;
  logic              awlock = 0, arlock = 0;
  logic [3:0]        awcache = 0, arcache = 0;
  logic [2:0]        awprot = 0, arprot = 0;
  logic              awvalid = 0, awready, wvalid = 0, wready, wlast = 0, bvalid, bready = 1;
  logic              arvalid = 0, arready, rvalid, rlast, rready = 1;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] wdata = 0, rdata;
  logic [DATA_W/8-1:0] wstrb = 0;
  axi_mem #(.DATA_W(DATA_W), .ID_W(ID_W)) mem (.aclk(aclk), .aresetn(aresetn), .awid(awid), .awaddr(awaddr), .awlen(awlen), .awsize(awsize), .awburst(awburst), .awlock(awlock), .awcache(awcache), .awprot(awprot), .awvalid(awvalid), .awready(awready), .wdata(wdata), .wstrb(wstrb), .wlast(wlast), .wvalid(wvalid), .wready(wready), .bid(bid), .bresp(bresp), .bvalid(bvalid), .bready(bready), .arid(arid), .araddr(araddr), .arlen(arlen), .arsize(arsize), .arburst(arburst), .arlock(arlock), .arcache(arcache), .arprot(arprot), .arvalid(arvalid), .arready(arready), .rid(rid), .rdata(rdata), .rresp(rresp), .rlast(rlast), .rvalid(rvalid), .rready(rready));
  `define AXI_MEM mem
  axi_checker #(.DATA_W(DATA_W), .ID_W(ID_W)) chk (.aclk(aclk), .aresetn(aresetn), .awid(awid), .awaddr(awaddr), .awlen(awlen), .awsize(awsize), .awburst(awburst), .awlock(awlock), .awvalid(awvalid), .awready(awready), .wdata(wdata), .wstrb(wstrb), .wlast(wlast), .wvalid(wvalid), .wready(wready), .bid(bid), .bresp(bresp), .bvalid(bvalid), .bready(bready), .arid(arid), .araddr(araddr), .arlen(arlen), .arsize(arsize), .arburst(arburst), .arlock(arlock), .arvalid(arvalid), .arready(arready), .rid(rid), .rdata(rdata), .rresp(rresp), .rlast(rlast), .rvalid(rvalid), .rready(rready));
  `include "axi_tasks.svh"

  initial begin

    repeat (2) @(posedge aclk); #1 aresetn = 1;   // reset released after edge 1
    @(posedge aclk); #1;                          // the first request may start after edge 2
    // One 2-beat read, by hand. RREADY stays 0 for three rising edges after RVALID rises.
    arid = 1; araddr = 32'h100; arlen = 1; arsize = 2; arburst = INCR; arvalid = 1;
    @(posedge aclk); #1 arvalid = 0; araddr = 'x; arlen = 'x; arsize = 'x; arburst = 'x; arid = 'x;
    rready = 0;
    @(posedge rvalid);
    repeat (3) @(posedge aclk);
    #1 rready = 1;
    repeat (3) @(posedge aclk); #1;
    repeat (3) @(posedge aclk);
    $finish;
  end
endmodule
Read included file: axi_pkg.sv
`timescale 1ns/1ns
// axi_pkg.sv: the arithmetic of a burst (read-only).
// Every transfer n of a burst has an address and a set of byte lanes, computed from the start
// address, the burst length, the transfer size and the burst type exactly as the AXI specification
// defines them. The memory, the manager tasks and the checker all use these functions, so they
// never disagree about where a byte lands.
package axi_pkg;
  localparam logic [1:0] FIXED = 2'b00, INCR = 2'b01, WRAP = 2'b10;
  localparam logic [1:0] OKAY = 2'b00, EXOKAY = 2'b01, SLVERR = 2'b10, DECERR = 2'b11;

  function automatic string burst_name(input logic [1:0] b);
    case (b) FIXED: return "FIXED"; INCR: return "INCR"; WRAP: return "WRAP"; default: return "RESERVED"; endcase
  endfunction
  function automatic string resp_name(input logic [1:0] r);
    case (r) OKAY: return "OKAY"; EXOKAY: return "EXOKAY"; SLVERR: return "SLVERR"; default: return "DECERR"; endcase
  endfunction

  // Bytes in one transfer: 1, 2, 4, ... 128.
  function automatic int bytes_of(input logic [2:0] size);
    return 1 << size;
  endfunction

  // The address of transfer n (n counts from 0).
  //   transfer 0 uses the start address as given, aligned or not;
  //   later transfers use the start address aligned down to the transfer size, plus n transfers;
  //   a WRAP burst returns to its wrap boundary (the start aligned down to the whole burst) when
  //   it reaches the end of that window; a FIXED burst repeats the start address.
  function automatic int unsigned beat_addr(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                                            input logic [1:0] burst, input int n);
    int unsigned nb = 1 << size;
    int unsigned aligned = (start / nb) * nb;
    int unsigned window = nb * (len + 1);
    int unsigned boundary = (start / window) * window;
    int unsigned a;
    if (burst == FIXED || n == 0) return start;
    a = aligned + n * nb;
    if (burst == WRAP && a >= boundary + window) a = a - window;
    return a;
  endfunction

  // The byte lanes transfer n uses on a bus of bus_bytes bytes, packed as {upper, lower}.
  // Transfer 0 of an unaligned burst (and every transfer of a FIXED burst) uses only the lanes from
  // its address up to the end of its aligned transfer; every other transfer uses all the lanes of
  // its size.
  function automatic logic [15:0] beat_lanes(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                                             input logic [1:0] burst, input int n, input int bus_bytes);
    int unsigned nb = 1 << size;
    int unsigned a = beat_addr(start, len, size, burst, n);
    int unsigned aligned = (a / nb) * nb;
    int unsigned word = (a / bus_bytes) * bus_bytes;
    int lower = a - word;
    int upper = (n == 0 || burst == FIXED) ? (aligned + nb - 1 - word) : (lower + nb - 1);
    return {upper[7:0], lower[7:0]};
  endfunction

  // The strobe of transfer n: a 1 for every lane it uses (bit l is lane l).
  function automatic logic [63:0] beat_strb(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                                            input logic [1:0] burst, input int n, input int bus_bytes);
    logic [15:0] lanes = beat_lanes(start, len, size, burst, n, bus_bytes);
    logic [63:0] s = 0;
    for (int l = lanes[7:0]; l <= lanes[15:8]; l++) s[l] = 1'b1;
    return s;
  endfunction

  // True when the burst crosses a 4 KB boundary (only an INCR burst can).
  function automatic bit crosses_4k(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst);
    if (burst != INCR) return 0;
    return (beat_addr(start, len, size, burst, 0) / 4096) != ((beat_addr(start, len, size, burst, len) + (1 << size) - 1) / 4096);
  endfunction
endpackage
Read included file: axi_mem.sv
`timescale 1ns/1ns
// axi_mem.sv: an AXI4 subordinate with a byte-addressed memory behind it (read-only in this lesson).
// It accepts requests on AW and AR, write beats on W (before or after their AW), writes the bytes a
// burst addresses using the strobes, and answers on B and R after a latency. The switches below are
// plain variables: the stimulus sets them by name (mem.reorder = 1;) before it starts.
//   rd_latency, wr_latency   cycles from a request (or its last write beat) to its first response
//   slow_latency, slow_above addresses at or above slow_above answer after slow_latency instead
//   err_above                addresses at or above err_above get SLVERR (and are not written)
//   reorder                  answer transactions with DIFFERENT IDs as soon as each is ready;
//                            transactions with the same ID still answer in order
//   interleave               interleave the read data beats of ready transactions with different IDs
//   excl_on                  support exclusive access (one monitor per ID), else answer OKAY
//   posted                   apply a write to the memory only when its response is sent, so a read
//                            that arrives between the last beat and B still sees the old bytes
//   trace                    print every byte the memory writes
// Broken twins, each off by default: early_b (B before the last write beat and before AW),
// ignore_strobes (write every lane of the bus word), drop_hold (RDATA changes while RVALID waits
// for RREADY), reorder_same_id (a later transaction with the same ID may answer first),
// wrap_bug (a WRAP burst addressed like INCR).
module axi_mem #(parameter int DATA_W = 32, parameter int ID_W = 4, parameter int DEPTH = 65536) (
  input  logic              aclk,
  input  logic              aresetn,
  input  logic [ID_W-1:0]   awid,
  input  logic [31:0]       awaddr,
  input  logic [7:0]        awlen,
  input  logic [2:0]        awsize,
  input  logic [1:0]        awburst,
  input  logic              awlock,
  input  logic [3:0]        awcache,
  input  logic [2:0]        awprot,
  input  logic              awvalid,
  output logic              awready,
  input  logic [DATA_W-1:0] wdata,
  input  logic [DATA_W/8-1:0] wstrb,
  input  logic              wlast,
  input  logic              wvalid,
  output logic              wready,
  output logic [ID_W-1:0]   bid,
  output logic [1:0]        bresp,
  output logic              bvalid,
  input  logic              bready,
  input  logic [ID_W-1:0]   arid,
  input  logic [31:0]       araddr,
  input  logic [7:0]        arlen,
  input  logic [2:0]        arsize,
  input  logic [1:0]        arburst,
  input  logic              arlock,
  input  logic [3:0]        arcache,
  input  logic [2:0]        arprot,
  input  logic              arvalid,
  output logic              arready,
  output logic [ID_W-1:0]   rid,
  output logic [DATA_W-1:0] rdata,
  output logic [1:0]        rresp,
  output logic              rlast,
  output logic              rvalid,
  input  logic              rready
);
  import axi_pkg::*;
  localparam int BUS = DATA_W / 8;
  localparam int N = 16;                      // transactions in flight per direction

  // ---- switches ----
  int rd_latency = 2, wr_latency = 2, slow_latency = 8;
  int unsigned slow_above = 32'hffff_ffff, err_above = 32'hffff_ffff;
  bit reorder = 0, interleave = 0, excl_on = 0, posted = 0, trace = 0;
  bit early_b = 0, ignore_strobes = 0, drop_hold = 0, reorder_same_id = 0, wrap_bug = 0;

  // ---- the memory ----
  logic [7:0] mem [0:DEPTH-1];
  initial for (int i = 0; i < DEPTH; i++) mem[i] = 8'h00;

  int cycle = -1;
  int seq = 0;                                // every request gets a sequence number: issue order

  // ---- write side: accepted AW requests (a ring) and write beats (a ring) ----
  logic [ID_W-1:0] aw_id [0:N-1];
  int unsigned     aw_addr [0:N-1];
  int              aw_len [0:N-1];
  logic [2:0]      aw_size [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]      aw_burst [0:N-1];
  logic            aw_lock [0:N-1];
  int aw_head = 0, aw_tail = 0, aw_count = 0;
  localparam int WQ = 1024;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] w_data [0:WQ-1];
  logic [BUS-1:0]    w_strb [0:WQ-1];
  logic              w_last [0:WQ-1];
  int w_head = 0, w_tail = 0, w_count = 0, w_bursts = 0;   // w_bursts: complete bursts in the ring

  // ---- write responses waiting for their latency ----
  logic            b_use [0:N-1];
  logic [ID_W-1:0] b_id [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]      b_rsp [0:N-1];
  int              b_at [0:N-1], b_seq [0:N-1];
  logic            b_driving = 0;
  logic            early_done = 0;            // the early_b twin answers once per burst
  // posted writes: the beats of a write kept until its response goes out
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] p_data [0:N-1][0:255];
  logic [BUS-1:0]    p_strb [0:N-1][0:255];
  int unsigned       p_addr [0:N-1];
  int                p_len [0:N-1];
  logic [2:0]        p_size [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]        p_burst [0:N-1];
  logic              p_pending [0:N-1];

  // ---- read side: accepted AR requests with their progress ----
  logic            r_use [0:N-1];
  logic [ID_W-1:0] r_id [0:N-1];
  int unsigned     r_addr [0:N-1];
  int              r_len [0:N-1];
  logic [2:0]      r_size [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]      r_burst [0:N-1];
  logic            r_lock [0:N-1];
  int              r_at [0:N-1], r_seq [0:N-1], r_beat [0:N-1], r_served [0:N-1];
  int              r_cur = -1;                // the transaction whose beat is on the wires
  logic            r_driving = 0;

  // ---- exclusive monitors, one per ID ----
  logic        mon_use [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  int unsigned mon_addr [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  int unsigned mon_bytes [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];

  initial begin
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) begin b_use[i] = 0; r_use[i] = 0; p_pending[i] = 0; end
    for (int i = 0; i < (1 << ID_W); i++) mon_use[i] = 0;
    awready = 0; wready = 0; arready = 0; bvalid = 0; rvalid = 0; bid = 0; bresp = 0; rid = 0; rresp = 0; rlast = 0; rdata = 0;
  end

  function automatic int latency_of(input int unsigned a, input int base);
    return (a >= slow_above) ? slow_latency : base;
  endfunction
  function automatic logic [1:0] burst_used(input logic [1:0] b);
    return (wrap_bug && b == WRAP) ? INCR : b;
  endfunction

  // ---- selection policies ----
  // The oldest of all pending entries, or the oldest of its ID: the in-order rule of the protocol.
  function automatic bit b_oldest(input int i, input bit same_id_only);
    for (int j = 0; j < N; j++)
      if (b_use[j] && j != i && b_seq[j] < b_seq[i] && (!same_id_only || b_id[j] == b_id[i])) return 0;
    return 1;
  endfunction
  function automatic bit r_oldest(input int i, input bit same_id_only);
    for (int j = 0; j < N; j++)
      if (r_use[j] && j != i && r_seq[j] < r_seq[i] && (!same_id_only || r_id[j] == r_id[i])) return 0;
    return 1;
  endfunction
  function automatic bit b_eligible(input int i);
    if (!b_use[i] || b_at[i] > cycle) return 0;
    if (!reorder) return b_oldest(i, 0);
    return reorder_same_id ? 1 : b_oldest(i, 1);
  endfunction
  function automatic bit r_eligible(input int i);
    if (!r_use[i] || r_at[i] > cycle) return 0;
    if (!reorder) return r_oldest(i, 0);
    return reorder_same_id ? 1 : r_oldest(i, 1);
  endfunction
  function automatic int free_b();
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (!b_use[i]) return i;
    return -1;
  endfunction
  function automatic int free_r();
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (!r_use[i]) return i;
    return -1;
  endfunction
  function automatic int pick_b();
    int best = -1;
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (b_eligible(i) && (best < 0 || b_seq[i] < b_seq[best])) best = i;
    return best;
  endfunction
  function automatic int pick_r();
    int best = -1;
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (r_eligible(i)) begin
      if (best < 0) best = i;
      else if (interleave ? (r_served[i] < r_served[best]) : (r_seq[i] < r_seq[best])) best = i;
    end
    return best;
  endfunction

  // ---- the bytes of one read beat, as the bus word that holds them ----
  function automatic logic [DATA_W-1:0] read_word(input int unsigned a);
    logic [DATA_W-1:0] d = 0;
    int unsigned word = (a / BUS) * BUS;
    for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++) d[8*l +: 8] = (word + l < DEPTH) ? mem[word + l] : 8'h00;
    return d;
  endfunction

  // ---- the write of one complete burst into the memory ----
  task automatic write_burst(input int e);
    logic [1:0]  rsp = OKAY;
    logic        do_write = 1, ended = 0;
    int unsigned a, word;
    logic [15:0] lanes;
    int          n = 0, slot;
    int unsigned total = (1 << aw_size[e]) * (aw_len[e] + 1);
    slot = free_b();
    if (aw_lock[e] && excl_on) begin
      if (mon_use[aw_id[e]] && mon_addr[aw_id[e]] == aw_addr[e]) begin
        rsp = EXOKAY;
        $display("mem e%0d: exclusive write id=%0d at 0x%0h: the monitor matched, EXOKAY", cycle, aw_id[e], aw_addr[e]);
      end else begin
        do_write = 0;
        $display("mem e%0d: exclusive write id=%0d at 0x%0h: no monitor, OKAY and nothing written", cycle, aw_id[e], aw_addr[e]);
      end
    end
    while (!ended && n <= aw_len[e]) begin
      a = beat_addr(aw_addr[e], aw_len[e], aw_size[e], burst_used(aw_burst[e]), n);
      lanes = beat_lanes(aw_addr[e], aw_len[e], aw_size[e], burst_used(aw_burst[e]), n, BUS);
      word = (a / BUS) * BUS;
      if (a >= err_above) rsp = SLVERR;
      else if (do_write && posted && slot >= 0) begin
        p_data[slot][n] = w_data[w_head]; p_strb[slot][n] = w_strb[w_head];
      end else if (do_write) begin
        for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++)
          if ((w_strb[w_head][l] || ignore_strobes) && word + l < DEPTH) begin
            mem[word + l] = w_data[w_head][8*l +: 8];
            if (trace) $display("mem e%0d: beat %0d writes 0x%02h to 0x%0h (lane %0d)", cycle, n, w_data[w_head][8*l +: 8], word + l, l);
          end
      end
      ended = w_last[w_head];                      // a burst ends at its WLAST, whatever AWLEN said
      w_head = (w_head + 1) % WQ; w_count = w_count - 1;
      n = n + 1;
    end
    while (!ended) begin                           // beats past AWLEN (a broken manager) are dropped
      ended = w_last[w_head];
      w_head = (w_head + 1) % WQ; w_count = w_count - 1;
    end
    // A write clears every monitor that watches a byte it touched.
    if (do_write)
      for (int i = 0; i < (1 << ID_W); i++)
        if (mon_use[i] && mon_addr[i] < aw_addr[e] + total && aw_addr[e] < mon_addr[i] + mon_bytes[i]) mon_use[i] = 0;
    if (slot >= 0) begin
      b_use[slot] = 1; b_id[slot] = aw_id[e]; b_rsp[slot] = rsp; b_seq[slot] = seq; seq = seq + 1;
      b_at[slot] = cycle + latency_of(aw_addr[e], wr_latency);
      if (posted && do_write) begin
        p_pending[slot] = 1; p_addr[slot] = aw_addr[e]; p_len[slot] = n - 1; p_size[slot] = aw_size[e]; p_burst[slot] = aw_burst[e];
      end
    end
  endtask

  // A posted write reaches the memory when its response goes out.
  task automatic apply_posted(input int i);
    int unsigned a, word;
    for (int n = 0; n <= p_len[i]; n++) begin
      a = beat_addr(p_addr[i], p_len[i], p_size[i], burst_used(p_burst[i]), n);
      word = (a / BUS) * BUS;
      if (a < err_above)
        for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++)
          if ((p_strb[i][n][l] || ignore_strobes) && word + l < DEPTH) begin
            mem[word + l] = p_data[i][n][8*l +: 8];
            if (trace) $display("mem e%0d: posted beat %0d writes 0x%02h to 0x%0h (lane %0d)", cycle, n, p_data[i][n][8*l +: 8], word + l, l);
          end
    end
    p_pending[i] = 0;
  endtask

  int pick, extra;
  always @(posedge aclk) begin
    cycle = cycle + 1;
    if (!aresetn) begin
      aw_head = 0; aw_tail = 0; aw_count = 0; w_head = 0; w_tail = 0; w_count = 0; w_bursts = 0;
      for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) begin b_use[i] = 0; r_use[i] = 0; end
      b_driving = 0; r_driving = 0; r_cur = -1;
      awready <= 0; wready <= 0; arready <= 0; bvalid <= 0; rvalid <= 0;
    end else begin
      // -- AW: take a request while there is room --
      if (awvalid && awready) begin
        aw_id[aw_tail] = awid; aw_addr[aw_tail] = awaddr; aw_len[aw_tail] = awlen; aw_size[aw_tail] = awsize;
        aw_burst[aw_tail] = awburst; aw_lock[aw_tail] = awlock;
        aw_tail = (aw_tail + 1) % N; aw_count = aw_count + 1;
      end
      // -- W: take a beat while there is room --
      if (wvalid && wready) begin
        w_data[w_tail] = wdata; w_strb[w_tail] = wstrb; w_last[w_tail] = wlast;
        w_tail = (w_tail + 1) % WQ; w_count = w_count + 1;
        if (wlast) w_bursts = w_bursts + 1;
      end
      // -- a complete burst with its request: write it and schedule B --
      if (aw_count > 0 && w_bursts > 0) begin
        write_burst(aw_head);
        aw_head = (aw_head + 1) % N; aw_count = aw_count - 1; w_bursts = w_bursts - 1;
        early_done = 0;
      end else if (early_b && !early_done && w_count > 0 && w_bursts == 0) begin
        // The broken twin: a response as soon as the first write beat arrived, before WLAST and,
        // when the data came first, before the address.
        pick = free_b();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          b_use[pick] = 1; b_id[pick] = (aw_count > 0) ? aw_id[aw_head] : awid; b_rsp[pick] = OKAY; b_seq[pick] = seq; seq = seq + 1; b_at[pick] = cycle;
          early_done = 1;
        end
      end
      // -- B: finish a handshake, then put the next response on the wires --
      if (b_driving && bready) b_driving = 0;
      if (!b_driving) begin
        pick = pick_b();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          if (p_pending[pick]) apply_posted(pick);
          b_driving = 1; bid <= b_id[pick]; bresp <= b_rsp[pick]; b_use[pick] = 0;
        end
      end
      bvalid <= b_driving;
      // -- AR: take a request while there is room --
      if (arvalid && arready) begin
        pick = free_r();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          r_use[pick] = 1; r_id[pick] = arid; r_addr[pick] = araddr; r_len[pick] = arlen; r_size[pick] = arsize; r_burst[pick] = arburst;
          r_lock[pick] = arlock; r_beat[pick] = 0; r_seq[pick] = seq; seq = seq + 1; r_served[pick] = -1;
          r_at[pick] = cycle + latency_of(araddr, rd_latency);
          if (arlock && excl_on) begin
            mon_use[arid] = 1; mon_addr[arid] = araddr; mon_bytes[arid] = (1 << arsize) * (arlen + 1);
            $display("mem e%0d: exclusive read id=%0d at 0x%0h: monitor set", cycle, arid, araddr);
          end
        end
      end
      // -- R: finish a handshake, then put the next beat on the wires --
      if (r_driving && !rready && drop_hold) rdata <= rdata + 1;   // the broken twin: data not held
      if (r_driving && rready) begin
        r_driving = 0;
        if (r_beat[r_cur] > r_len[r_cur]) begin r_use[r_cur] = 0; r_cur = -1; end
        else if (interleave) r_cur = -1;
      end
      if (!r_driving) begin
        pick = (r_cur >= 0) ? r_cur : pick_r();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          r_cur = pick; r_driving = 1; r_served[pick] = cycle;
          extra = r_beat[pick];
          rid <= r_id[pick];
          rdata <= read_word(beat_addr(r_addr[pick], r_len[pick], r_size[pick], burst_used(r_burst[pick]), extra));
          rresp <= (beat_addr(r_addr[pick], r_len[pick], r_size[pick], burst_used(r_burst[pick]), extra) >= err_above) ? SLVERR
                 : ((r_lock[pick] && excl_on) ? EXOKAY : OKAY);
          rlast <= (extra == r_len[pick]);
          r_beat[pick] = extra + 1;
        end
      end
      rvalid <= r_driving;
      awready <= (aw_count < N - 1);
      wready  <= (w_count < WQ - 2);
      arready <= 1;
    end
  end
endmodule
Read included file: axi_checker.sv
`timescale 1ns/1ns
// axi_checker.sv: the rules of an AXI4 interface, checked at every rising edge (read-only).
// Each broken rule is named with the channel and the edge where it was seen:
//   reset      a VALID is 1 while reset is active;
//   hold       a VALID dropped before its READY: the offer was withdrawn;
//   stable     a channel's payload changed while its offer waited;
//   known      a payload is x while its VALID is 1;
//   len        a FIXED or WRAP burst longer than 16 beats;
//   wrap       a WRAP burst whose length is not 2, 4, 8 or 16 beats or whose address is not aligned;
//   boundary   a burst that crosses a 4 KB boundary;
//   size       a transfer wider than the data bus;
//   strobe     a write strobe on a lane the beat does not address;
//   wlast      WLAST on the wrong beat (not AWLEN), or missing after it;
//   rlast      RLAST on the wrong beat of the oldest read with that ID, or missing after it;
//   border     BVALID before any outstanding write has its last beat, or before its AW;
//   bid, rid   a response ID with no outstanding request of that ID;
//   exokay     EXOKAY for a request that was not exclusive;
//   exclusive  an exclusive request whose bytes are not a power of two up to 128, or not aligned to them.
// The rules no checker can see on the wires (VALID must not wait for READY; same-ID responses
// in the order of their requests) are checked by the data the tasks compare (lessons P2.2, P2.10).
module axi_checker #(parameter int DATA_W = 32, parameter int ID_W = 4) (
  input logic              aclk,
  input logic              aresetn,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   awid,
  input logic [31:0]       awaddr,
  input logic [7:0]        awlen,
  input logic [2:0]        awsize,
  input logic [1:0]        awburst,
  input logic              awlock,
  input logic              awvalid,
  input logic              awready,
  input logic [DATA_W-1:0] wdata,
  input logic [DATA_W/8-1:0] wstrb,
  input logic              wlast,
  input logic              wvalid,
  input logic              wready,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   bid,
  input logic [1:0]        bresp,
  input logic              bvalid,
  input logic              bready,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   arid,
  input logic [31:0]       araddr,
  input logic [7:0]        arlen,
  input logic [2:0]        arsize,
  input logic [1:0]        arburst,
  input logic              arlock,
  input logic              arvalid,
  input logic              arready,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   rid,
  input logic [DATA_W-1:0] rdata,
  input logic [1:0]        rresp,
  input logic              rlast,
  input logic              rvalid,
  input logic              rready
);
  import axi_pkg::*;
  localparam int BUS = DATA_W / 8;
  localparam int Q = 64;
  int cycle = -1, writes = 0, reads = 0, stalls = 0, broken = 0;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] used;

  function void report(input string rule, input string what);
    broken++;
    $display("RULE %s broken at edge %0d: %s", rule, cycle, what);
  endfunction

  // Previous values of every channel, for hold and stable.
  logic p_awv = 0, p_awr = 0, p_wv = 0, p_wr = 0, p_bv = 0, p_br = 0, p_arv = 0, p_arr = 0, p_rv = 0, p_rr = 0;
  logic [31:0] p_awaddr, p_araddr;
  logic [7:0] p_awlen, p_arlen;
  logic [2:0] p_awsize, p_arsize;
  logic [1:0] p_awburst, p_arburst, p_bresp, p_rresp;
  logic [ID_W-1:0] p_awid, p_arid, p_bid, p_rid;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] p_wdata, p_rdata;
  logic [BUS-1:0] p_wstrb;
  logic p_wlast, p_rlast, p_awlock, p_arlock;

  // Write requests in order (AXI4 write data follows the order of the addresses).
  int unsigned q_addr [0:Q-1];
  int q_len [0:Q-1];
  logic [2:0] q_size [0:Q-1];
  logic [1:0] q_burst [0:Q-1];
  int aw_n = 0;                 // requests accepted
  int wb_n = 0;                 // write bursts started
  int wb_done = 0;              // write bursts ended (WLAST seen)
  int w_beat = 0;               // beats so far in the current burst
  int b_n = 0;                  // responses given
  // Beats recorded for bursts that ran ahead of their AW: strobes and count, checked when AW arrives.
  logic [BUS-1:0] rec_strb [0:Q-1][0:255];
  int rec_beats [0:Q-1];
  logic rec_open [0:Q-1];
  // Outstanding requests per ID, and the read requests per ID in order.
  int aw_out [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], ar_out [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], aw_excl [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], ar_excl [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  int rq_len [0:(1<<ID_W)-1][0:15];
  int rq_head [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], rq_tail [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], r_beat [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  initial for (int i = 0; i < (1 << ID_W); i++) begin aw_out[i] = 0; ar_out[i] = 0; aw_excl[i] = 0; ar_excl[i] = 0; rq_head[i] = 0; rq_tail[i] = 0; r_beat[i] = 0; end
  initial for (int i = 0; i < Q; i++) begin rec_beats[i] = 0; rec_open[i] = 0; end

  function automatic bit pow2_le128(input int unsigned n);
    return (n == 1 || n == 2 || n == 4 || n == 8 || n == 16 || n == 32 || n == 64 || n == 128);
  endfunction

  task automatic check_request(input string ch, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock);
    int unsigned bytes = (1 << size) * (len + 1);
    if ((burst == FIXED || burst == WRAP) && len > 15) report("len", $sformatf("%s: a %s burst of %0d beats (16 at most)", ch, burst_name(burst), len + 1));
    if (burst == WRAP && !(len == 1 || len == 3 || len == 7 || len == 15)) report("wrap", $sformatf("%s: a WRAP burst of %0d beats (2, 4, 8 or 16)", ch, len + 1));
    if (burst == WRAP && (addr % (1 << size)) != 0) report("wrap", $sformatf("%s: WRAP burst at 0x%0h is not aligned to its %0d-byte transfers", ch, addr, 1 << size));
    if (burst == 2'b11) report("len", $sformatf("%s: burst type 2'b11 is reserved", ch));
    if ((1 << size) > BUS) report("size", $sformatf("%s: %0d-byte transfers on a %0d-byte bus", ch, 1 << size, BUS));
    if (crosses_4k(addr, len, size, burst)) report("boundary", $sformatf("%s: burst at 0x%0h, %0d beats of %0d bytes, crosses a 4 KB boundary", ch, addr, len + 1, 1 << size));
    if (lock && (!pow2_le128(bytes) || (addr % bytes) != 0)) report("exclusive", $sformatf("%s: exclusive access of %0d bytes at 0x%0h (a power of two up to 128, aligned)", ch, bytes, addr));
  endtask

  task automatic check_strobe(input int k, input int n, input logic [BUS-1:0] strb);
    logic [63:0] allowed = beat_strb(q_addr[k % Q], q_len[k % Q], q_size[k % Q], q_burst[k % Q], n, BUS);
    if ((strb & ~allowed[BUS-1:0]) != 0)
      report("strobe", $sformatf("W beat %0d of write %0d: strobe %b on lanes outside %b", n, k, strb, allowed[BUS-1:0]));
  endtask

  always @(posedge aclk) begin
    cycle++;
    if (!aresetn) begin
      if (awvalid === 1 || wvalid === 1 || arvalid === 1) report("reset", "a manager VALID is 1 during reset");
      if (bvalid === 1 || rvalid === 1) report("reset", "a subordinate VALID is 1 during reset");
    end else begin
      // hold, stable and known, per channel
      if (p_awv && !p_awr && awvalid !== 1) report("hold", "AWVALID dropped before AWREADY");
      if (p_awv && !p_awr && awvalid === 1 && (awaddr !== p_awaddr || awlen !== p_awlen || awsize !== p_awsize || awburst !== p_awburst || awid !== p_awid || awlock !== p_awlock)) report("stable", "AW payload changed while the request waited");
      if (p_wv && !p_wr && wvalid !== 1) report("hold", "WVALID dropped before WREADY");
      if (p_wv && !p_wr && wvalid === 1 && (wdata !== p_wdata || wstrb !== p_wstrb || wlast !== p_wlast)) report("stable", "W payload changed while the beat waited");
      if (p_bv && !p_br && bvalid !== 1) report("hold", "BVALID dropped before BREADY");
      if (p_bv && !p_br && bvalid === 1 && (bresp !== p_bresp || bid !== p_bid)) report("stable", "B payload changed while the response waited");
      if (p_arv && !p_arr && arvalid !== 1) report("hold", "ARVALID dropped before ARREADY");
      if (p_arv && !p_arr && arvalid === 1 && (araddr !== p_araddr || arlen !== p_arlen || arsize !== p_arsize || arburst !== p_arburst || arid !== p_arid || arlock !== p_arlock)) report("stable", "AR payload changed while the request waited");
      if (p_rv && !p_rr && rvalid !== 1) report("hold", "RVALID dropped before RREADY");
      if (p_rv && !p_rr && rvalid === 1 && (rdata !== p_rdata || rresp !== p_rresp || rid !== p_rid || rlast !== p_rlast)) report("stable", "R payload changed while the beat waited");
      if (awvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(awaddr) || $isunknown(awlen) || $isunknown(awsize) || $isunknown(awburst) || $isunknown(awid))) report("known", "AW payload is x while AWVALID is 1");
      if (wvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(wstrb) || $isunknown(wlast))) report("known", "W strobe or last is x while WVALID is 1");
      else if (wvalid === 1) begin
        used = '0;
        for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++) if (wstrb[l] === 1) used[8*l +: 8] = 8'hff;
        if ($isunknown(wdata & used)) report("known", "W data is x on a strobed lane while WVALID is 1");
      end
      if (arvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(araddr) || $isunknown(arlen) || $isunknown(arsize) || $isunknown(arburst) || $isunknown(arid))) report("known", "AR payload is x while ARVALID is 1");
      if (bvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(bresp) || $isunknown(bid))) report("known", "B payload is x while BVALID is 1");
      if (rvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(rresp) || $isunknown(rid) || $isunknown(rlast))) report("known", "R payload is x while RVALID is 1");
      if ((awvalid === 1 && awready !== 1) || (wvalid === 1 && wready !== 1) || (arvalid === 1 && arready !== 1) ||
          (bvalid === 1 && bready !== 1) || (rvalid === 1 && rready !== 1)) stalls++;
      // AW accepted
      if (awvalid === 1 && awready === 1) begin
        check_request("AW", awaddr, awlen, awsize, awburst, awlock);
        q_addr[aw_n % Q] = awaddr; q_len[aw_n % Q] = awlen; q_size[aw_n % Q] = awsize; q_burst[aw_n % Q] = awburst;
        aw_out[awid]++; if (awlock) aw_excl[awid]++;
        // beats of this write that arrived before its address: check them now
        if (rec_beats[aw_n % Q] > 0) begin
          for (int n = 0; n < rec_beats[aw_n % Q]; n++) check_strobe(aw_n, n, rec_strb[aw_n % Q][n]);
          if (!rec_open[aw_n % Q] && rec_beats[aw_n % Q] != awlen + 1)
            report("wlast", $sformatf("write %0d sent %0d beats before its AW said AWLEN=%0d", aw_n, rec_beats[aw_n % Q], awlen));
          if (!rec_open[aw_n % Q]) rec_beats[aw_n % Q] = 0;
        end
        aw_n++;
      end
      // W beat accepted
      if (wvalid === 1 && wready === 1) begin
        if (w_beat == 0) begin wb_n++; rec_beats[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 0; rec_open[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 1; end
        if (wb_n <= aw_n) begin
          check_strobe(wb_n - 1, w_beat, wstrb);
          if (wlast === 1 && w_beat != q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]) report("wlast", $sformatf("WLAST on beat %0d of write %0d, AWLEN=%0d", w_beat, wb_n - 1, q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]));
          if (wlast !== 1 && w_beat == q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]) report("wlast", $sformatf("beat %0d of write %0d is AWLEN=%0d but WLAST is 0", w_beat, wb_n - 1, q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]));
        end else begin
          rec_strb[(wb_n - 1) % Q][w_beat] = wstrb;
        end
        rec_beats[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = w_beat + 1;
        w_beat++;
        if (wlast === 1) begin w_beat = 0; wb_done++; rec_open[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 0; if (wb_n <= aw_n) rec_beats[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 0; end
      end
      // B offered or accepted
      if (bvalid === 1 && !p_bv) begin
        if (b_n >= aw_n && b_n >= wb_done) report("border", "BVALID with no write to answer: neither an AW nor a WLAST is outstanding");
        else if (b_n >= wb_done) report("border", "BVALID before the last beat of the write it answers");
        else if (b_n >= aw_n) report("border", "BVALID before the AW of the write it answers was accepted");
      end
      if (bvalid === 1 && bready === 1) begin
        if (aw_out[bid] == 0) report("bid", $sformatf("B with id %0d, which has no outstanding write", bid));
        else begin
          aw_out[bid]--; writes++;
          if (bresp === EXOKAY && aw_excl[bid] == 0) report("exokay", $sformatf("EXOKAY for write id %0d, which was not exclusive", bid));
          if (aw_excl[bid] > 0 && aw_excl[bid] > aw_out[bid]) aw_excl[bid] = aw_out[bid];
        end
        b_n++;
      end
      // AR accepted
      if (arvalid === 1 && arready === 1) begin
        check_request("AR", araddr, arlen, arsize, arburst, arlock);
        rq_len[arid][rq_tail[arid]] = arlen; rq_tail[arid] = (rq_tail[arid] + 1) % 16;
        ar_out[arid]++; if (arlock) ar_excl[arid]++;
      end
      // R beat accepted
      if (rvalid === 1 && rready === 1) begin
        if (ar_out[rid] == 0) report("rid", $sformatf("R with id %0d, which has no outstanding read", rid));
        else begin
          if (rlast === 1 && r_beat[rid] != rq_len[rid][rq_head[rid]])
            report("rlast", $sformatf("RLAST on beat %0d of the oldest read with id %0d, whose ARLEN is %0d", r_beat[rid], rid, rq_len[rid][rq_head[rid]]));
          if (rlast !== 1 && r_beat[rid] == rq_len[rid][rq_head[rid]])
            report("rlast", $sformatf("beat %0d of the oldest read with id %0d is its ARLEN but RLAST is 0", r_beat[rid], rid));
          if (rresp === EXOKAY && ar_excl[rid] == 0) report("exokay", $sformatf("EXOKAY for read id %0d, which was not exclusive", rid));
          r_beat[rid]++;
          if (rlast === 1) begin
            r_beat[rid] = 0; rq_head[rid] = (rq_head[rid] + 1) % 16; ar_out[rid]--; reads++;
            if (ar_excl[rid] > ar_out[rid]) ar_excl[rid] = ar_out[rid];
          end
        end
      end
    end
    p_awv = (awvalid === 1); p_awr = (awready === 1); p_wv = (wvalid === 1); p_wr = (wready === 1);
    p_bv = (bvalid === 1); p_br = (bready === 1); p_arv = (arvalid === 1); p_arr = (arready === 1);
    p_rv = (rvalid === 1); p_rr = (rready === 1);
    p_awaddr = awaddr; p_awlen = awlen; p_awsize = awsize; p_awburst = awburst; p_awid = awid; p_awlock = awlock;
    p_wdata = wdata; p_wstrb = wstrb; p_wlast = wlast; p_bresp = bresp; p_bid = bid;
    p_araddr = araddr; p_arlen = arlen; p_arsize = arsize; p_arburst = arburst; p_arid = arid; p_arlock = arlock;
    p_rdata = rdata; p_rresp = rresp; p_rid = rid; p_rlast = rlast;
  end
  final $display("checker: %0d writes, %0d reads, %0d stalled edges, %0d rules broken", writes, reads, stalls, broken);
endmodule
Read included file: axi_tasks.svh
// axi_tasks.svh: the manager side of the bench, as tasks for the stimulus (read-only).
// Data for a write burst goes in wd[0], wd[1], ... (one entry per beat, the lowest byte at the
// lowest address); the data of a read comes back in rd[0], rd[1], ... with its responses in rr[].
// Every task prints the beat log: one line per handshake, with the edge where it happened.
// `cycle` counts rising edges from 0.
int cycle = -1;
always @(posedge aclk) cycle = cycle + 1;

logic [63:0] wd [0:255];
logic [63:0] rd [0:255];
logic [1:0]  rr [0:255];
logic [63:0] rdq [0:15][0:255];     // read data per ID, for reads collected out of order
logic [1:0]  rrq [0:15][0:255];
int          rdn [0:15];            // beats received per ID
logic [1:0]  last_bresp = 0;
int          last_beats = 0;
// What the task is driving right now, for the waveform scenes: the address and lanes of the beat.
int unsigned beat_a = 0;
logic [7:0]  beat_m = 0;
// quiet = 1 silences the beat log (a predict item can then ask for a dump line instead).
bit          quiet = 0;
// Strobe override: when strb_force is 1, every write beat uses strb_val as it is.
bit          strb_force = 0;
logic [7:0]  strb_val = 8'hff;
// Outstanding read requests per ID, so the tasks know the lanes of the beats that come back.
int unsigned arq_addr [0:15][0:7];
int          arq_len [0:15][0:7];
logic [2:0]  arq_size [0:15][0:7];
logic [1:0]  arq_burst [0:15][0:7];
int          arq_head [0:15], arq_tail [0:15];
initial for (int i = 0; i < 16; i++) begin arq_head[i] = 0; arq_tail[i] = 0; rdn[i] = 0; end
// READY patterns for the response channels: bit (cycle % 16) of the pattern drives the signal.
bit          rpat_on = 0, bpat_on = 0;
logic [15:0] rpat = 16'hffff, bpat = 16'hffff;
always @(posedge aclk) begin
  #1;
  if (rpat_on) rready = rpat[cycle % 16];
  if (bpat_on) bready = bpat[cycle % 16];
end

// A text waveform for the lesson's trace blocks: with watch = 1, one line per rising edge with the
// values sampled at that edge (cycle k of a trace is what edge k sees).
bit watch = 0;
int wave_edge = -1;
always @(posedge aclk) begin
  wave_edge = wave_edge + 1;
  if (watch) $display("wave e%0d: aw=%b%b w=%b%b b=%b%b ar=%b%b r=%b%b awaddr=%h wdata=%h wstrb=%b wlast=%b bid=%h bresp=%b araddr=%h rid=%h rdata=%h rresp=%b rlast=%b",
                      wave_edge, awvalid, awready, wvalid, wready, bvalid, bready, arvalid, arready, rvalid, rready,
                      awaddr, wdata, wstrb, wlast, bid, bresp, araddr, rid, rdata, rresp, rlast);
end

// Drive RREADY (ch = 0) or BREADY (ch = 1) from a 16-bit pattern; 16'hffff restores always ready.
task automatic ready_pattern(input int ch, input logic [15:0] pat);
  if (ch == 0) begin rpat = pat; rpat_on = 1; rready = pat[cycle % 16]; end
  else begin bpat = pat; bpat_on = 1; bready = pat[cycle % 16]; end
endtask

// The write address channel: offer the request and hold it until it is taken.
task automatic aw_issue(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                        input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock = 0);
  awid = id; awaddr = addr; awlen = len[7:0]; awsize = size; awburst = burst; awlock = lock; awvalid = 1;
  do @(posedge aclk); while (!awready);
  #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d AW id=%0d addr=0x%0h len=%0d size=%0d %0s%0s", cycle, id, addr, len, size, burst_name(burst), lock ? " exclusive" : "");
  awvalid = 0; awaddr = 'x; awlen = 'x; awsize = 'x; awburst = 'x; awid = 'x; awlock = 0;
endtask

// The write data channel: the beats of one burst from wd[first..], each placed in its lanes.
task automatic w_burst(input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst, input int first = 0);
  logic [15:0] lanes;
  for (int n = 0; n <= len; n++) begin
    lanes = beat_lanes(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    beat_a = beat_addr(addr, len, size, burst, n);
    beat_m = strb_force ? strb_val : beat_strb(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    wdata = wd[first + n] << (8 * lanes[7:0]);
    wstrb = beat_m[BUS_BYTES-1:0];
    wlast = (n == len);
    wvalid = 1;
    do @(posedge aclk); while (!wready);
    #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d W  beat %0d data=0x%0h strb=%b last=%0d  addr 0x%0h lanes %0d-%0d", cycle, n, wdata, wstrb, wlast, beat_a, lanes[7:0], lanes[15:8]);
  end
  wvalid = 0; wdata = 'x; wstrb = 'x; wlast = 0; beat_m = 0;
endtask

// Wait for the write response of one transaction with this ID.
task automatic b_wait(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id);
  do @(posedge aclk); while (!(bvalid && bready && bid == id));
  last_bresp = bresp;                       // sampled at the edge, before the subordinate moves on
  #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d B  id=%0d %0s", cycle, id, resp_name(last_bresp));
endtask

// A complete write. order 0 offers the address, then the first beat one cycle later whether or
// not the address has been taken yet (a manager must never make WVALID wait for AWREADY); 1 offers
// the beats first and the address after beat 0; 2 offers the address and beat 0 in the same cycle.
// Returns after B, with the response in last_bresp.
task automatic axi_write(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                         input logic [1:0] burst, input int order = 0, input logic lock = 0);
  case (order)
    1: fork
         w_burst(addr, len, size, burst);
         begin @(posedge aclk); #1 aw_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock); end
       join
    2: fork
         aw_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock);
         w_burst(addr, len, size, burst);
       join
    default: fork
         aw_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock);
         begin @(posedge aclk); #1 w_burst(addr, len, size, burst); end
       join
  endcase
  b_wait(id);
endtask

// The read address channel: offer the request and remember it for the beats that come back.
task automatic ar_issue(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                        input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock = 0);
  arq_addr[id][arq_tail[id]] = addr; arq_len[id][arq_tail[id]] = len; arq_size[id][arq_tail[id]] = size;
  arq_burst[id][arq_tail[id]] = burst; arq_tail[id] = (arq_tail[id] + 1) % 8;
  arid = id; araddr = addr; arlen = len[7:0]; arsize = size; arburst = burst; arlock = lock; arvalid = 1;
  do @(posedge aclk); while (!arready);
  #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d AR id=%0d addr=0x%0h len=%0d size=%0d %0s%0s", cycle, id, addr, len, size, burst_name(burst), lock ? " exclusive" : "");
  arvalid = 0; araddr = 'x; arlen = 'x; arsize = 'x; arburst = 'x; arid = 'x; arlock = 0;
endtask

// Collect read beats until n transactions have ended (their RLAST). Each beat lands in rdq[rid][k]
// with only the bytes of the transfer (lane-shifted down), and rd[] holds the last transaction.
task automatic r_collect(input int n);
  int done = 0, h;
  logic [15:0] lanes;
  logic [63:0] bytes;
  logic [ID_W-1:0] id;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] data;
  logic [1:0] resp;
  logic last;
  while (done < n) begin
    do @(posedge aclk); while (!(rvalid && rready));
    id = rid; data = rdata; resp = rresp; last = rlast;   // sampled at the edge, before the subordinate moves on
    h = arq_head[id];
    lanes = beat_lanes(arq_addr[id][h], arq_len[id][h], arq_size[id][h], arq_burst[id][h], rdn[id], BUS_BYTES);
    beat_a = beat_addr(arq_addr[id][h], arq_len[id][h], arq_size[id][h], arq_burst[id][h], rdn[id]);
    beat_m = beat_strb(arq_addr[id][h], arq_len[id][h], arq_size[id][h], arq_burst[id][h], rdn[id], BUS_BYTES);
    bytes = (data >> (8 * lanes[7:0])) & ((64'h1 << (8 * (lanes[15:8] - lanes[7:0] + 1))) - 1);
    rdq[id][rdn[id]] = bytes; rrq[id][rdn[id]] = resp;
    #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d R  id=%0d beat %0d data=0x%0h %0s%0s  addr 0x%0h lanes %0d-%0d", cycle, id, rdn[id], bytes, resp_name(resp),
                last ? " last" : "", beat_a, lanes[7:0], lanes[15:8]);
    rdn[id] = rdn[id] + 1;
    if (last) begin
      for (int k = 0; k < rdn[id]; k++) begin rd[k] = rdq[id][k]; rr[k] = rrq[id][k]; end
      last_beats = rdn[id]; rdn[id] = 0; arq_head[id] = (h + 1) % 8; done = done + 1;
    end
  end
  beat_m = 0;
endtask

// A complete read: AR, then every beat, into rd[] and rr[].
task automatic axi_read(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                        input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock = 0);
  ar_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock);
  r_collect(1);
endtask

// The table of a burst before it runs: the address, lanes and strobe of every beat.
task automatic beat_table(input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst);
  logic [15:0] lanes;
  logic [63:0] s;
  int unsigned a;
  $display("burst at 0x%0h: %0d beat%0s of %0d byte%0s, %0s, bus %0d bytes", addr, len + 1, len ? "s" : "", 1 << size, size ? "s" : "",
           burst_name(burst), BUS_BYTES);
  $display("  beat  address  lanes  strobe");
  for (int n = 0; n <= len; n++) begin
    lanes = beat_lanes(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    s = beat_strb(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    a = beat_addr(addr, len, size, burst, n);
    $display("  %4d  0x%05h  %0d-%0d    %b", n, a[19:0], lanes[7:0], lanes[15:8], s[BUS_BYTES-1:0]);
  end
  if (crosses_4k(addr, len, size, burst)) $display("  this burst crosses a 4 KB boundary");
endtask

// One byte of the memory that owns an address (the fabric's second memory above 0x8000).
function automatic logic [7:0] mem_byte(input int unsigned a);
`ifdef AXI_MEM1
  if (a >= 32'h8000) return `AXI_MEM1.mem[a];
`endif
  return `AXI_MEM.mem[a];
endfunction
task automatic set_byte(input int unsigned a, input logic [7:0] v);
`ifdef AXI_MEM1
  if (a >= 32'h8000) `AXI_MEM1.mem[a] = v;
  else `AXI_MEM.mem[a] = v;
`else
  `AXI_MEM.mem[a] = v;
`endif
endtask

// The memory, n bytes from addr, one bus word per group.
task automatic dump(input int unsigned addr, input int n);
  string line;
  int unsigned a = (addr / 16) * 16;
  while (a < addr + n) begin
    line = $sformatf("0x%05h ", a[19:0]);
    for (int i = 0; i < 16; i++) begin
      if (i % BUS_BYTES == 0) line = {line, " "};
      line = {line, $sformatf(" %02h", mem_byte(a + i))};
    end
    $display("%s", line);
    a = a + 16;
  end
endtask

// Fill n bytes from addr with first, first+1, ... so untouched bytes stay recognisable.
task automatic mem_fill(input int unsigned addr, input int n, input logic [7:0] first = 8'h00);
  for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) set_byte(addr + i, first + i[7:0]);
endtask

// Drive nothing for n cycles.
task automatic idle(input int n);
  repeat (n) @(posedge aclk);
  #1;
endtask
Spot the bugRREADY is 0 every other cycle, so every beat of the four-beat read stalls once. Each option issues the read and collects the beats into rd[]. Which one ends with the wrong data?
Read included file: axi_pkg.sv
`timescale 1ns/1ns
// axi_pkg.sv: the arithmetic of a burst (read-only).
// Every transfer n of a burst has an address and a set of byte lanes, computed from the start
// address, the burst length, the transfer size and the burst type exactly as the AXI specification
// defines them. The memory, the manager tasks and the checker all use these functions, so they
// never disagree about where a byte lands.
package axi_pkg;
  localparam logic [1:0] FIXED = 2'b00, INCR = 2'b01, WRAP = 2'b10;
  localparam logic [1:0] OKAY = 2'b00, EXOKAY = 2'b01, SLVERR = 2'b10, DECERR = 2'b11;

  function automatic string burst_name(input logic [1:0] b);
    case (b) FIXED: return "FIXED"; INCR: return "INCR"; WRAP: return "WRAP"; default: return "RESERVED"; endcase
  endfunction
  function automatic string resp_name(input logic [1:0] r);
    case (r) OKAY: return "OKAY"; EXOKAY: return "EXOKAY"; SLVERR: return "SLVERR"; default: return "DECERR"; endcase
  endfunction

  // Bytes in one transfer: 1, 2, 4, ... 128.
  function automatic int bytes_of(input logic [2:0] size);
    return 1 << size;
  endfunction

  // The address of transfer n (n counts from 0).
  //   transfer 0 uses the start address as given, aligned or not;
  //   later transfers use the start address aligned down to the transfer size, plus n transfers;
  //   a WRAP burst returns to its wrap boundary (the start aligned down to the whole burst) when
  //   it reaches the end of that window; a FIXED burst repeats the start address.
  function automatic int unsigned beat_addr(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                                            input logic [1:0] burst, input int n);
    int unsigned nb = 1 << size;
    int unsigned aligned = (start / nb) * nb;
    int unsigned window = nb * (len + 1);
    int unsigned boundary = (start / window) * window;
    int unsigned a;
    if (burst == FIXED || n == 0) return start;
    a = aligned + n * nb;
    if (burst == WRAP && a >= boundary + window) a = a - window;
    return a;
  endfunction

  // The byte lanes transfer n uses on a bus of bus_bytes bytes, packed as {upper, lower}.
  // Transfer 0 of an unaligned burst (and every transfer of a FIXED burst) uses only the lanes from
  // its address up to the end of its aligned transfer; every other transfer uses all the lanes of
  // its size.
  function automatic logic [15:0] beat_lanes(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                                             input logic [1:0] burst, input int n, input int bus_bytes);
    int unsigned nb = 1 << size;
    int unsigned a = beat_addr(start, len, size, burst, n);
    int unsigned aligned = (a / nb) * nb;
    int unsigned word = (a / bus_bytes) * bus_bytes;
    int lower = a - word;
    int upper = (n == 0 || burst == FIXED) ? (aligned + nb - 1 - word) : (lower + nb - 1);
    return {upper[7:0], lower[7:0]};
  endfunction

  // The strobe of transfer n: a 1 for every lane it uses (bit l is lane l).
  function automatic logic [63:0] beat_strb(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                                            input logic [1:0] burst, input int n, input int bus_bytes);
    logic [15:0] lanes = beat_lanes(start, len, size, burst, n, bus_bytes);
    logic [63:0] s = 0;
    for (int l = lanes[7:0]; l <= lanes[15:8]; l++) s[l] = 1'b1;
    return s;
  endfunction

  // True when the burst crosses a 4 KB boundary (only an INCR burst can).
  function automatic bit crosses_4k(input int unsigned start, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst);
    if (burst != INCR) return 0;
    return (beat_addr(start, len, size, burst, 0) / 4096) != ((beat_addr(start, len, size, burst, len) + (1 << size) - 1) / 4096);
  endfunction
endpackage
Read included file: axi_mem.sv
`timescale 1ns/1ns
// axi_mem.sv: an AXI4 subordinate with a byte-addressed memory behind it (read-only in this lesson).
// It accepts requests on AW and AR, write beats on W (before or after their AW), writes the bytes a
// burst addresses using the strobes, and answers on B and R after a latency. The switches below are
// plain variables: the stimulus sets them by name (mem.reorder = 1;) before it starts.
//   rd_latency, wr_latency   cycles from a request (or its last write beat) to its first response
//   slow_latency, slow_above addresses at or above slow_above answer after slow_latency instead
//   err_above                addresses at or above err_above get SLVERR (and are not written)
//   reorder                  answer transactions with DIFFERENT IDs as soon as each is ready;
//                            transactions with the same ID still answer in order
//   interleave               interleave the read data beats of ready transactions with different IDs
//   excl_on                  support exclusive access (one monitor per ID), else answer OKAY
//   posted                   apply a write to the memory only when its response is sent, so a read
//                            that arrives between the last beat and B still sees the old bytes
//   trace                    print every byte the memory writes
// Broken twins, each off by default: early_b (B before the last write beat and before AW),
// ignore_strobes (write every lane of the bus word), drop_hold (RDATA changes while RVALID waits
// for RREADY), reorder_same_id (a later transaction with the same ID may answer first),
// wrap_bug (a WRAP burst addressed like INCR).
module axi_mem #(parameter int DATA_W = 32, parameter int ID_W = 4, parameter int DEPTH = 65536) (
  input  logic              aclk,
  input  logic              aresetn,
  input  logic [ID_W-1:0]   awid,
  input  logic [31:0]       awaddr,
  input  logic [7:0]        awlen,
  input  logic [2:0]        awsize,
  input  logic [1:0]        awburst,
  input  logic              awlock,
  input  logic [3:0]        awcache,
  input  logic [2:0]        awprot,
  input  logic              awvalid,
  output logic              awready,
  input  logic [DATA_W-1:0] wdata,
  input  logic [DATA_W/8-1:0] wstrb,
  input  logic              wlast,
  input  logic              wvalid,
  output logic              wready,
  output logic [ID_W-1:0]   bid,
  output logic [1:0]        bresp,
  output logic              bvalid,
  input  logic              bready,
  input  logic [ID_W-1:0]   arid,
  input  logic [31:0]       araddr,
  input  logic [7:0]        arlen,
  input  logic [2:0]        arsize,
  input  logic [1:0]        arburst,
  input  logic              arlock,
  input  logic [3:0]        arcache,
  input  logic [2:0]        arprot,
  input  logic              arvalid,
  output logic              arready,
  output logic [ID_W-1:0]   rid,
  output logic [DATA_W-1:0] rdata,
  output logic [1:0]        rresp,
  output logic              rlast,
  output logic              rvalid,
  input  logic              rready
);
  import axi_pkg::*;
  localparam int BUS = DATA_W / 8;
  localparam int N = 16;                      // transactions in flight per direction

  // ---- switches ----
  int rd_latency = 2, wr_latency = 2, slow_latency = 8;
  int unsigned slow_above = 32'hffff_ffff, err_above = 32'hffff_ffff;
  bit reorder = 0, interleave = 0, excl_on = 0, posted = 0, trace = 0;
  bit early_b = 0, ignore_strobes = 0, drop_hold = 0, reorder_same_id = 0, wrap_bug = 0;

  // ---- the memory ----
  logic [7:0] mem [0:DEPTH-1];
  initial for (int i = 0; i < DEPTH; i++) mem[i] = 8'h00;

  int cycle = -1;
  int seq = 0;                                // every request gets a sequence number: issue order

  // ---- write side: accepted AW requests (a ring) and write beats (a ring) ----
  logic [ID_W-1:0] aw_id [0:N-1];
  int unsigned     aw_addr [0:N-1];
  int              aw_len [0:N-1];
  logic [2:0]      aw_size [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]      aw_burst [0:N-1];
  logic            aw_lock [0:N-1];
  int aw_head = 0, aw_tail = 0, aw_count = 0;
  localparam int WQ = 1024;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] w_data [0:WQ-1];
  logic [BUS-1:0]    w_strb [0:WQ-1];
  logic              w_last [0:WQ-1];
  int w_head = 0, w_tail = 0, w_count = 0, w_bursts = 0;   // w_bursts: complete bursts in the ring

  // ---- write responses waiting for their latency ----
  logic            b_use [0:N-1];
  logic [ID_W-1:0] b_id [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]      b_rsp [0:N-1];
  int              b_at [0:N-1], b_seq [0:N-1];
  logic            b_driving = 0;
  logic            early_done = 0;            // the early_b twin answers once per burst
  // posted writes: the beats of a write kept until its response goes out
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] p_data [0:N-1][0:255];
  logic [BUS-1:0]    p_strb [0:N-1][0:255];
  int unsigned       p_addr [0:N-1];
  int                p_len [0:N-1];
  logic [2:0]        p_size [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]        p_burst [0:N-1];
  logic              p_pending [0:N-1];

  // ---- read side: accepted AR requests with their progress ----
  logic            r_use [0:N-1];
  logic [ID_W-1:0] r_id [0:N-1];
  int unsigned     r_addr [0:N-1];
  int              r_len [0:N-1];
  logic [2:0]      r_size [0:N-1];
  logic [1:0]      r_burst [0:N-1];
  logic            r_lock [0:N-1];
  int              r_at [0:N-1], r_seq [0:N-1], r_beat [0:N-1], r_served [0:N-1];
  int              r_cur = -1;                // the transaction whose beat is on the wires
  logic            r_driving = 0;

  // ---- exclusive monitors, one per ID ----
  logic        mon_use [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  int unsigned mon_addr [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  int unsigned mon_bytes [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];

  initial begin
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) begin b_use[i] = 0; r_use[i] = 0; p_pending[i] = 0; end
    for (int i = 0; i < (1 << ID_W); i++) mon_use[i] = 0;
    awready = 0; wready = 0; arready = 0; bvalid = 0; rvalid = 0; bid = 0; bresp = 0; rid = 0; rresp = 0; rlast = 0; rdata = 0;
  end

  function automatic int latency_of(input int unsigned a, input int base);
    return (a >= slow_above) ? slow_latency : base;
  endfunction
  function automatic logic [1:0] burst_used(input logic [1:0] b);
    return (wrap_bug && b == WRAP) ? INCR : b;
  endfunction

  // ---- selection policies ----
  // The oldest of all pending entries, or the oldest of its ID: the in-order rule of the protocol.
  function automatic bit b_oldest(input int i, input bit same_id_only);
    for (int j = 0; j < N; j++)
      if (b_use[j] && j != i && b_seq[j] < b_seq[i] && (!same_id_only || b_id[j] == b_id[i])) return 0;
    return 1;
  endfunction
  function automatic bit r_oldest(input int i, input bit same_id_only);
    for (int j = 0; j < N; j++)
      if (r_use[j] && j != i && r_seq[j] < r_seq[i] && (!same_id_only || r_id[j] == r_id[i])) return 0;
    return 1;
  endfunction
  function automatic bit b_eligible(input int i);
    if (!b_use[i] || b_at[i] > cycle) return 0;
    if (!reorder) return b_oldest(i, 0);
    return reorder_same_id ? 1 : b_oldest(i, 1);
  endfunction
  function automatic bit r_eligible(input int i);
    if (!r_use[i] || r_at[i] > cycle) return 0;
    if (!reorder) return r_oldest(i, 0);
    return reorder_same_id ? 1 : r_oldest(i, 1);
  endfunction
  function automatic int free_b();
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (!b_use[i]) return i;
    return -1;
  endfunction
  function automatic int free_r();
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (!r_use[i]) return i;
    return -1;
  endfunction
  function automatic int pick_b();
    int best = -1;
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (b_eligible(i) && (best < 0 || b_seq[i] < b_seq[best])) best = i;
    return best;
  endfunction
  function automatic int pick_r();
    int best = -1;
    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) if (r_eligible(i)) begin
      if (best < 0) best = i;
      else if (interleave ? (r_served[i] < r_served[best]) : (r_seq[i] < r_seq[best])) best = i;
    end
    return best;
  endfunction

  // ---- the bytes of one read beat, as the bus word that holds them ----
  function automatic logic [DATA_W-1:0] read_word(input int unsigned a);
    logic [DATA_W-1:0] d = 0;
    int unsigned word = (a / BUS) * BUS;
    for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++) d[8*l +: 8] = (word + l < DEPTH) ? mem[word + l] : 8'h00;
    return d;
  endfunction

  // ---- the write of one complete burst into the memory ----
  task automatic write_burst(input int e);
    logic [1:0]  rsp = OKAY;
    logic        do_write = 1, ended = 0;
    int unsigned a, word;
    logic [15:0] lanes;
    int          n = 0, slot;
    int unsigned total = (1 << aw_size[e]) * (aw_len[e] + 1);
    slot = free_b();
    if (aw_lock[e] && excl_on) begin
      if (mon_use[aw_id[e]] && mon_addr[aw_id[e]] == aw_addr[e]) begin
        rsp = EXOKAY;
        $display("mem e%0d: exclusive write id=%0d at 0x%0h: the monitor matched, EXOKAY", cycle, aw_id[e], aw_addr[e]);
      end else begin
        do_write = 0;
        $display("mem e%0d: exclusive write id=%0d at 0x%0h: no monitor, OKAY and nothing written", cycle, aw_id[e], aw_addr[e]);
      end
    end
    while (!ended && n <= aw_len[e]) begin
      a = beat_addr(aw_addr[e], aw_len[e], aw_size[e], burst_used(aw_burst[e]), n);
      lanes = beat_lanes(aw_addr[e], aw_len[e], aw_size[e], burst_used(aw_burst[e]), n, BUS);
      word = (a / BUS) * BUS;
      if (a >= err_above) rsp = SLVERR;
      else if (do_write && posted && slot >= 0) begin
        p_data[slot][n] = w_data[w_head]; p_strb[slot][n] = w_strb[w_head];
      end else if (do_write) begin
        for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++)
          if ((w_strb[w_head][l] || ignore_strobes) && word + l < DEPTH) begin
            mem[word + l] = w_data[w_head][8*l +: 8];
            if (trace) $display("mem e%0d: beat %0d writes 0x%02h to 0x%0h (lane %0d)", cycle, n, w_data[w_head][8*l +: 8], word + l, l);
          end
      end
      ended = w_last[w_head];                      // a burst ends at its WLAST, whatever AWLEN said
      w_head = (w_head + 1) % WQ; w_count = w_count - 1;
      n = n + 1;
    end
    while (!ended) begin                           // beats past AWLEN (a broken manager) are dropped
      ended = w_last[w_head];
      w_head = (w_head + 1) % WQ; w_count = w_count - 1;
    end
    // A write clears every monitor that watches a byte it touched.
    if (do_write)
      for (int i = 0; i < (1 << ID_W); i++)
        if (mon_use[i] && mon_addr[i] < aw_addr[e] + total && aw_addr[e] < mon_addr[i] + mon_bytes[i]) mon_use[i] = 0;
    if (slot >= 0) begin
      b_use[slot] = 1; b_id[slot] = aw_id[e]; b_rsp[slot] = rsp; b_seq[slot] = seq; seq = seq + 1;
      b_at[slot] = cycle + latency_of(aw_addr[e], wr_latency);
      if (posted && do_write) begin
        p_pending[slot] = 1; p_addr[slot] = aw_addr[e]; p_len[slot] = n - 1; p_size[slot] = aw_size[e]; p_burst[slot] = aw_burst[e];
      end
    end
  endtask

  // A posted write reaches the memory when its response goes out.
  task automatic apply_posted(input int i);
    int unsigned a, word;
    for (int n = 0; n <= p_len[i]; n++) begin
      a = beat_addr(p_addr[i], p_len[i], p_size[i], burst_used(p_burst[i]), n);
      word = (a / BUS) * BUS;
      if (a < err_above)
        for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++)
          if ((p_strb[i][n][l] || ignore_strobes) && word + l < DEPTH) begin
            mem[word + l] = p_data[i][n][8*l +: 8];
            if (trace) $display("mem e%0d: posted beat %0d writes 0x%02h to 0x%0h (lane %0d)", cycle, n, p_data[i][n][8*l +: 8], word + l, l);
          end
    end
    p_pending[i] = 0;
  endtask

  int pick, extra;
  always @(posedge aclk) begin
    cycle = cycle + 1;
    if (!aresetn) begin
      aw_head = 0; aw_tail = 0; aw_count = 0; w_head = 0; w_tail = 0; w_count = 0; w_bursts = 0;
      for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) begin b_use[i] = 0; r_use[i] = 0; end
      b_driving = 0; r_driving = 0; r_cur = -1;
      awready <= 0; wready <= 0; arready <= 0; bvalid <= 0; rvalid <= 0;
    end else begin
      // -- AW: take a request while there is room --
      if (awvalid && awready) begin
        aw_id[aw_tail] = awid; aw_addr[aw_tail] = awaddr; aw_len[aw_tail] = awlen; aw_size[aw_tail] = awsize;
        aw_burst[aw_tail] = awburst; aw_lock[aw_tail] = awlock;
        aw_tail = (aw_tail + 1) % N; aw_count = aw_count + 1;
      end
      // -- W: take a beat while there is room --
      if (wvalid && wready) begin
        w_data[w_tail] = wdata; w_strb[w_tail] = wstrb; w_last[w_tail] = wlast;
        w_tail = (w_tail + 1) % WQ; w_count = w_count + 1;
        if (wlast) w_bursts = w_bursts + 1;
      end
      // -- a complete burst with its request: write it and schedule B --
      if (aw_count > 0 && w_bursts > 0) begin
        write_burst(aw_head);
        aw_head = (aw_head + 1) % N; aw_count = aw_count - 1; w_bursts = w_bursts - 1;
        early_done = 0;
      end else if (early_b && !early_done && w_count > 0 && w_bursts == 0) begin
        // The broken twin: a response as soon as the first write beat arrived, before WLAST and,
        // when the data came first, before the address.
        pick = free_b();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          b_use[pick] = 1; b_id[pick] = (aw_count > 0) ? aw_id[aw_head] : awid; b_rsp[pick] = OKAY; b_seq[pick] = seq; seq = seq + 1; b_at[pick] = cycle;
          early_done = 1;
        end
      end
      // -- B: finish a handshake, then put the next response on the wires --
      if (b_driving && bready) b_driving = 0;
      if (!b_driving) begin
        pick = pick_b();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          if (p_pending[pick]) apply_posted(pick);
          b_driving = 1; bid <= b_id[pick]; bresp <= b_rsp[pick]; b_use[pick] = 0;
        end
      end
      bvalid <= b_driving;
      // -- AR: take a request while there is room --
      if (arvalid && arready) begin
        pick = free_r();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          r_use[pick] = 1; r_id[pick] = arid; r_addr[pick] = araddr; r_len[pick] = arlen; r_size[pick] = arsize; r_burst[pick] = arburst;
          r_lock[pick] = arlock; r_beat[pick] = 0; r_seq[pick] = seq; seq = seq + 1; r_served[pick] = -1;
          r_at[pick] = cycle + latency_of(araddr, rd_latency);
          if (arlock && excl_on) begin
            mon_use[arid] = 1; mon_addr[arid] = araddr; mon_bytes[arid] = (1 << arsize) * (arlen + 1);
            $display("mem e%0d: exclusive read id=%0d at 0x%0h: monitor set", cycle, arid, araddr);
          end
        end
      end
      // -- R: finish a handshake, then put the next beat on the wires --
      if (r_driving && !rready && drop_hold) rdata <= rdata + 1;   // the broken twin: data not held
      if (r_driving && rready) begin
        r_driving = 0;
        if (r_beat[r_cur] > r_len[r_cur]) begin r_use[r_cur] = 0; r_cur = -1; end
        else if (interleave) r_cur = -1;
      end
      if (!r_driving) begin
        pick = (r_cur >= 0) ? r_cur : pick_r();
        if (pick >= 0) begin
          r_cur = pick; r_driving = 1; r_served[pick] = cycle;
          extra = r_beat[pick];
          rid <= r_id[pick];
          rdata <= read_word(beat_addr(r_addr[pick], r_len[pick], r_size[pick], burst_used(r_burst[pick]), extra));
          rresp <= (beat_addr(r_addr[pick], r_len[pick], r_size[pick], burst_used(r_burst[pick]), extra) >= err_above) ? SLVERR
                 : ((r_lock[pick] && excl_on) ? EXOKAY : OKAY);
          rlast <= (extra == r_len[pick]);
          r_beat[pick] = extra + 1;
        end
      end
      rvalid <= r_driving;
      awready <= (aw_count < N - 1);
      wready  <= (w_count < WQ - 2);
      arready <= 1;
    end
  end
endmodule
Read included file: axi_checker.sv
`timescale 1ns/1ns
// axi_checker.sv: the rules of an AXI4 interface, checked at every rising edge (read-only).
// Each broken rule is named with the channel and the edge where it was seen:
//   reset      a VALID is 1 while reset is active;
//   hold       a VALID dropped before its READY: the offer was withdrawn;
//   stable     a channel's payload changed while its offer waited;
//   known      a payload is x while its VALID is 1;
//   len        a FIXED or WRAP burst longer than 16 beats;
//   wrap       a WRAP burst whose length is not 2, 4, 8 or 16 beats or whose address is not aligned;
//   boundary   a burst that crosses a 4 KB boundary;
//   size       a transfer wider than the data bus;
//   strobe     a write strobe on a lane the beat does not address;
//   wlast      WLAST on the wrong beat (not AWLEN), or missing after it;
//   rlast      RLAST on the wrong beat of the oldest read with that ID, or missing after it;
//   border     BVALID before any outstanding write has its last beat, or before its AW;
//   bid, rid   a response ID with no outstanding request of that ID;
//   exokay     EXOKAY for a request that was not exclusive;
//   exclusive  an exclusive request whose bytes are not a power of two up to 128, or not aligned to them.
// The rules no checker can see on the wires (VALID must not wait for READY; same-ID responses
// in the order of their requests) are checked by the data the tasks compare (lessons P2.2, P2.10).
module axi_checker #(parameter int DATA_W = 32, parameter int ID_W = 4) (
  input logic              aclk,
  input logic              aresetn,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   awid,
  input logic [31:0]       awaddr,
  input logic [7:0]        awlen,
  input logic [2:0]        awsize,
  input logic [1:0]        awburst,
  input logic              awlock,
  input logic              awvalid,
  input logic              awready,
  input logic [DATA_W-1:0] wdata,
  input logic [DATA_W/8-1:0] wstrb,
  input logic              wlast,
  input logic              wvalid,
  input logic              wready,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   bid,
  input logic [1:0]        bresp,
  input logic              bvalid,
  input logic              bready,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   arid,
  input logic [31:0]       araddr,
  input logic [7:0]        arlen,
  input logic [2:0]        arsize,
  input logic [1:0]        arburst,
  input logic              arlock,
  input logic              arvalid,
  input logic              arready,
  input logic [ID_W-1:0]   rid,
  input logic [DATA_W-1:0] rdata,
  input logic [1:0]        rresp,
  input logic              rlast,
  input logic              rvalid,
  input logic              rready
);
  import axi_pkg::*;
  localparam int BUS = DATA_W / 8;
  localparam int Q = 64;
  int cycle = -1, writes = 0, reads = 0, stalls = 0, broken = 0;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] used;

  function void report(input string rule, input string what);
    broken++;
    $display("RULE %s broken at edge %0d: %s", rule, cycle, what);
  endfunction

  // Previous values of every channel, for hold and stable.
  logic p_awv = 0, p_awr = 0, p_wv = 0, p_wr = 0, p_bv = 0, p_br = 0, p_arv = 0, p_arr = 0, p_rv = 0, p_rr = 0;
  logic [31:0] p_awaddr, p_araddr;
  logic [7:0] p_awlen, p_arlen;
  logic [2:0] p_awsize, p_arsize;
  logic [1:0] p_awburst, p_arburst, p_bresp, p_rresp;
  logic [ID_W-1:0] p_awid, p_arid, p_bid, p_rid;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] p_wdata, p_rdata;
  logic [BUS-1:0] p_wstrb;
  logic p_wlast, p_rlast, p_awlock, p_arlock;

  // Write requests in order (AXI4 write data follows the order of the addresses).
  int unsigned q_addr [0:Q-1];
  int q_len [0:Q-1];
  logic [2:0] q_size [0:Q-1];
  logic [1:0] q_burst [0:Q-1];
  int aw_n = 0;                 // requests accepted
  int wb_n = 0;                 // write bursts started
  int wb_done = 0;              // write bursts ended (WLAST seen)
  int w_beat = 0;               // beats so far in the current burst
  int b_n = 0;                  // responses given
  // Beats recorded for bursts that ran ahead of their AW: strobes and count, checked when AW arrives.
  logic [BUS-1:0] rec_strb [0:Q-1][0:255];
  int rec_beats [0:Q-1];
  logic rec_open [0:Q-1];
  // Outstanding requests per ID, and the read requests per ID in order.
  int aw_out [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], ar_out [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], aw_excl [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], ar_excl [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  int rq_len [0:(1<<ID_W)-1][0:15];
  int rq_head [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], rq_tail [0:(1<<ID_W)-1], r_beat [0:(1<<ID_W)-1];
  initial for (int i = 0; i < (1 << ID_W); i++) begin aw_out[i] = 0; ar_out[i] = 0; aw_excl[i] = 0; ar_excl[i] = 0; rq_head[i] = 0; rq_tail[i] = 0; r_beat[i] = 0; end
  initial for (int i = 0; i < Q; i++) begin rec_beats[i] = 0; rec_open[i] = 0; end

  function automatic bit pow2_le128(input int unsigned n);
    return (n == 1 || n == 2 || n == 4 || n == 8 || n == 16 || n == 32 || n == 64 || n == 128);
  endfunction

  task automatic check_request(input string ch, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock);
    int unsigned bytes = (1 << size) * (len + 1);
    if ((burst == FIXED || burst == WRAP) && len > 15) report("len", $sformatf("%s: a %s burst of %0d beats (16 at most)", ch, burst_name(burst), len + 1));
    if (burst == WRAP && !(len == 1 || len == 3 || len == 7 || len == 15)) report("wrap", $sformatf("%s: a WRAP burst of %0d beats (2, 4, 8 or 16)", ch, len + 1));
    if (burst == WRAP && (addr % (1 << size)) != 0) report("wrap", $sformatf("%s: WRAP burst at 0x%0h is not aligned to its %0d-byte transfers", ch, addr, 1 << size));
    if (burst == 2'b11) report("len", $sformatf("%s: burst type 2'b11 is reserved", ch));
    if ((1 << size) > BUS) report("size", $sformatf("%s: %0d-byte transfers on a %0d-byte bus", ch, 1 << size, BUS));
    if (crosses_4k(addr, len, size, burst)) report("boundary", $sformatf("%s: burst at 0x%0h, %0d beats of %0d bytes, crosses a 4 KB boundary", ch, addr, len + 1, 1 << size));
    if (lock && (!pow2_le128(bytes) || (addr % bytes) != 0)) report("exclusive", $sformatf("%s: exclusive access of %0d bytes at 0x%0h (a power of two up to 128, aligned)", ch, bytes, addr));
  endtask

  task automatic check_strobe(input int k, input int n, input logic [BUS-1:0] strb);
    logic [63:0] allowed = beat_strb(q_addr[k % Q], q_len[k % Q], q_size[k % Q], q_burst[k % Q], n, BUS);
    if ((strb & ~allowed[BUS-1:0]) != 0)
      report("strobe", $sformatf("W beat %0d of write %0d: strobe %b on lanes outside %b", n, k, strb, allowed[BUS-1:0]));
  endtask

  always @(posedge aclk) begin
    cycle++;
    if (!aresetn) begin
      if (awvalid === 1 || wvalid === 1 || arvalid === 1) report("reset", "a manager VALID is 1 during reset");
      if (bvalid === 1 || rvalid === 1) report("reset", "a subordinate VALID is 1 during reset");
    end else begin
      // hold, stable and known, per channel
      if (p_awv && !p_awr && awvalid !== 1) report("hold", "AWVALID dropped before AWREADY");
      if (p_awv && !p_awr && awvalid === 1 && (awaddr !== p_awaddr || awlen !== p_awlen || awsize !== p_awsize || awburst !== p_awburst || awid !== p_awid || awlock !== p_awlock)) report("stable", "AW payload changed while the request waited");
      if (p_wv && !p_wr && wvalid !== 1) report("hold", "WVALID dropped before WREADY");
      if (p_wv && !p_wr && wvalid === 1 && (wdata !== p_wdata || wstrb !== p_wstrb || wlast !== p_wlast)) report("stable", "W payload changed while the beat waited");
      if (p_bv && !p_br && bvalid !== 1) report("hold", "BVALID dropped before BREADY");
      if (p_bv && !p_br && bvalid === 1 && (bresp !== p_bresp || bid !== p_bid)) report("stable", "B payload changed while the response waited");
      if (p_arv && !p_arr && arvalid !== 1) report("hold", "ARVALID dropped before ARREADY");
      if (p_arv && !p_arr && arvalid === 1 && (araddr !== p_araddr || arlen !== p_arlen || arsize !== p_arsize || arburst !== p_arburst || arid !== p_arid || arlock !== p_arlock)) report("stable", "AR payload changed while the request waited");
      if (p_rv && !p_rr && rvalid !== 1) report("hold", "RVALID dropped before RREADY");
      if (p_rv && !p_rr && rvalid === 1 && (rdata !== p_rdata || rresp !== p_rresp || rid !== p_rid || rlast !== p_rlast)) report("stable", "R payload changed while the beat waited");
      if (awvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(awaddr) || $isunknown(awlen) || $isunknown(awsize) || $isunknown(awburst) || $isunknown(awid))) report("known", "AW payload is x while AWVALID is 1");
      if (wvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(wstrb) || $isunknown(wlast))) report("known", "W strobe or last is x while WVALID is 1");
      else if (wvalid === 1) begin
        used = '0;
        for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++) if (wstrb[l] === 1) used[8*l +: 8] = 8'hff;
        if ($isunknown(wdata & used)) report("known", "W data is x on a strobed lane while WVALID is 1");
      end
      if (arvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(araddr) || $isunknown(arlen) || $isunknown(arsize) || $isunknown(arburst) || $isunknown(arid))) report("known", "AR payload is x while ARVALID is 1");
      if (bvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(bresp) || $isunknown(bid))) report("known", "B payload is x while BVALID is 1");
      if (rvalid === 1 && ($isunknown(rresp) || $isunknown(rid) || $isunknown(rlast))) report("known", "R payload is x while RVALID is 1");
      if ((awvalid === 1 && awready !== 1) || (wvalid === 1 && wready !== 1) || (arvalid === 1 && arready !== 1) ||
          (bvalid === 1 && bready !== 1) || (rvalid === 1 && rready !== 1)) stalls++;
      // AW accepted
      if (awvalid === 1 && awready === 1) begin
        check_request("AW", awaddr, awlen, awsize, awburst, awlock);
        q_addr[aw_n % Q] = awaddr; q_len[aw_n % Q] = awlen; q_size[aw_n % Q] = awsize; q_burst[aw_n % Q] = awburst;
        aw_out[awid]++; if (awlock) aw_excl[awid]++;
        // beats of this write that arrived before its address: check them now
        if (rec_beats[aw_n % Q] > 0) begin
          for (int n = 0; n < rec_beats[aw_n % Q]; n++) check_strobe(aw_n, n, rec_strb[aw_n % Q][n]);
          if (!rec_open[aw_n % Q] && rec_beats[aw_n % Q] != awlen + 1)
            report("wlast", $sformatf("write %0d sent %0d beats before its AW said AWLEN=%0d", aw_n, rec_beats[aw_n % Q], awlen));
          if (!rec_open[aw_n % Q]) rec_beats[aw_n % Q] = 0;
        end
        aw_n++;
      end
      // W beat accepted
      if (wvalid === 1 && wready === 1) begin
        if (w_beat == 0) begin wb_n++; rec_beats[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 0; rec_open[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 1; end
        if (wb_n <= aw_n) begin
          check_strobe(wb_n - 1, w_beat, wstrb);
          if (wlast === 1 && w_beat != q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]) report("wlast", $sformatf("WLAST on beat %0d of write %0d, AWLEN=%0d", w_beat, wb_n - 1, q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]));
          if (wlast !== 1 && w_beat == q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]) report("wlast", $sformatf("beat %0d of write %0d is AWLEN=%0d but WLAST is 0", w_beat, wb_n - 1, q_len[(wb_n - 1) % Q]));
        end else begin
          rec_strb[(wb_n - 1) % Q][w_beat] = wstrb;
        end
        rec_beats[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = w_beat + 1;
        w_beat++;
        if (wlast === 1) begin w_beat = 0; wb_done++; rec_open[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 0; if (wb_n <= aw_n) rec_beats[(wb_n - 1) % Q] = 0; end
      end
      // B offered or accepted
      if (bvalid === 1 && !p_bv) begin
        if (b_n >= aw_n && b_n >= wb_done) report("border", "BVALID with no write to answer: neither an AW nor a WLAST is outstanding");
        else if (b_n >= wb_done) report("border", "BVALID before the last beat of the write it answers");
        else if (b_n >= aw_n) report("border", "BVALID before the AW of the write it answers was accepted");
      end
      if (bvalid === 1 && bready === 1) begin
        if (aw_out[bid] == 0) report("bid", $sformatf("B with id %0d, which has no outstanding write", bid));
        else begin
          aw_out[bid]--; writes++;
          if (bresp === EXOKAY && aw_excl[bid] == 0) report("exokay", $sformatf("EXOKAY for write id %0d, which was not exclusive", bid));
          if (aw_excl[bid] > 0 && aw_excl[bid] > aw_out[bid]) aw_excl[bid] = aw_out[bid];
        end
        b_n++;
      end
      // AR accepted
      if (arvalid === 1 && arready === 1) begin
        check_request("AR", araddr, arlen, arsize, arburst, arlock);
        rq_len[arid][rq_tail[arid]] = arlen; rq_tail[arid] = (rq_tail[arid] + 1) % 16;
        ar_out[arid]++; if (arlock) ar_excl[arid]++;
      end
      // R beat accepted
      if (rvalid === 1 && rready === 1) begin
        if (ar_out[rid] == 0) report("rid", $sformatf("R with id %0d, which has no outstanding read", rid));
        else begin
          if (rlast === 1 && r_beat[rid] != rq_len[rid][rq_head[rid]])
            report("rlast", $sformatf("RLAST on beat %0d of the oldest read with id %0d, whose ARLEN is %0d", r_beat[rid], rid, rq_len[rid][rq_head[rid]]));
          if (rlast !== 1 && r_beat[rid] == rq_len[rid][rq_head[rid]])
            report("rlast", $sformatf("beat %0d of the oldest read with id %0d is its ARLEN but RLAST is 0", r_beat[rid], rid));
          if (rresp === EXOKAY && ar_excl[rid] == 0) report("exokay", $sformatf("EXOKAY for read id %0d, which was not exclusive", rid));
          r_beat[rid]++;
          if (rlast === 1) begin
            r_beat[rid] = 0; rq_head[rid] = (rq_head[rid] + 1) % 16; ar_out[rid]--; reads++;
            if (ar_excl[rid] > ar_out[rid]) ar_excl[rid] = ar_out[rid];
          end
        end
      end
    end
    p_awv = (awvalid === 1); p_awr = (awready === 1); p_wv = (wvalid === 1); p_wr = (wready === 1);
    p_bv = (bvalid === 1); p_br = (bready === 1); p_arv = (arvalid === 1); p_arr = (arready === 1);
    p_rv = (rvalid === 1); p_rr = (rready === 1);
    p_awaddr = awaddr; p_awlen = awlen; p_awsize = awsize; p_awburst = awburst; p_awid = awid; p_awlock = awlock;
    p_wdata = wdata; p_wstrb = wstrb; p_wlast = wlast; p_bresp = bresp; p_bid = bid;
    p_araddr = araddr; p_arlen = arlen; p_arsize = arsize; p_arburst = arburst; p_arid = arid; p_arlock = arlock;
    p_rdata = rdata; p_rresp = rresp; p_rid = rid; p_rlast = rlast;
  end
  final $display("checker: %0d writes, %0d reads, %0d stalled edges, %0d rules broken", writes, reads, stalls, broken);
endmodule
Read included file: axi_tasks.svh
// axi_tasks.svh: the manager side of the bench, as tasks for the stimulus (read-only).
// Data for a write burst goes in wd[0], wd[1], ... (one entry per beat, the lowest byte at the
// lowest address); the data of a read comes back in rd[0], rd[1], ... with its responses in rr[].
// Every task prints the beat log: one line per handshake, with the edge where it happened.
// `cycle` counts rising edges from 0.
int cycle = -1;
always @(posedge aclk) cycle = cycle + 1;

logic [63:0] wd [0:255];
logic [63:0] rd [0:255];
logic [1:0]  rr [0:255];
logic [63:0] rdq [0:15][0:255];     // read data per ID, for reads collected out of order
logic [1:0]  rrq [0:15][0:255];
int          rdn [0:15];            // beats received per ID
logic [1:0]  last_bresp = 0;
int          last_beats = 0;
// What the task is driving right now, for the waveform scenes: the address and lanes of the beat.
int unsigned beat_a = 0;
logic [7:0]  beat_m = 0;
// quiet = 1 silences the beat log (a predict item can then ask for a dump line instead).
bit          quiet = 0;
// Strobe override: when strb_force is 1, every write beat uses strb_val as it is.
bit          strb_force = 0;
logic [7:0]  strb_val = 8'hff;
// Outstanding read requests per ID, so the tasks know the lanes of the beats that come back.
int unsigned arq_addr [0:15][0:7];
int          arq_len [0:15][0:7];
logic [2:0]  arq_size [0:15][0:7];
logic [1:0]  arq_burst [0:15][0:7];
int          arq_head [0:15], arq_tail [0:15];
initial for (int i = 0; i < 16; i++) begin arq_head[i] = 0; arq_tail[i] = 0; rdn[i] = 0; end
// READY patterns for the response channels: bit (cycle % 16) of the pattern drives the signal.
bit          rpat_on = 0, bpat_on = 0;
logic [15:0] rpat = 16'hffff, bpat = 16'hffff;
always @(posedge aclk) begin
  #1;
  if (rpat_on) rready = rpat[cycle % 16];
  if (bpat_on) bready = bpat[cycle % 16];
end

// A text waveform for the lesson's trace blocks: with watch = 1, one line per rising edge with the
// values sampled at that edge (cycle k of a trace is what edge k sees).
bit watch = 0;
int wave_edge = -1;
always @(posedge aclk) begin
  wave_edge = wave_edge + 1;
  if (watch) $display("wave e%0d: aw=%b%b w=%b%b b=%b%b ar=%b%b r=%b%b awaddr=%h wdata=%h wstrb=%b wlast=%b bid=%h bresp=%b araddr=%h rid=%h rdata=%h rresp=%b rlast=%b",
                      wave_edge, awvalid, awready, wvalid, wready, bvalid, bready, arvalid, arready, rvalid, rready,
                      awaddr, wdata, wstrb, wlast, bid, bresp, araddr, rid, rdata, rresp, rlast);
end

// Drive RREADY (ch = 0) or BREADY (ch = 1) from a 16-bit pattern; 16'hffff restores always ready.
task automatic ready_pattern(input int ch, input logic [15:0] pat);
  if (ch == 0) begin rpat = pat; rpat_on = 1; rready = pat[cycle % 16]; end
  else begin bpat = pat; bpat_on = 1; bready = pat[cycle % 16]; end
endtask

// The write address channel: offer the request and hold it until it is taken.
task automatic aw_issue(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                        input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock = 0);
  awid = id; awaddr = addr; awlen = len[7:0]; awsize = size; awburst = burst; awlock = lock; awvalid = 1;
  do @(posedge aclk); while (!awready);
  #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d AW id=%0d addr=0x%0h len=%0d size=%0d %0s%0s", cycle, id, addr, len, size, burst_name(burst), lock ? " exclusive" : "");
  awvalid = 0; awaddr = 'x; awlen = 'x; awsize = 'x; awburst = 'x; awid = 'x; awlock = 0;
endtask

// The write data channel: the beats of one burst from wd[first..], each placed in its lanes.
task automatic w_burst(input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst, input int first = 0);
  logic [15:0] lanes;
  for (int n = 0; n <= len; n++) begin
    lanes = beat_lanes(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    beat_a = beat_addr(addr, len, size, burst, n);
    beat_m = strb_force ? strb_val : beat_strb(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    wdata = wd[first + n] << (8 * lanes[7:0]);
    wstrb = beat_m[BUS_BYTES-1:0];
    wlast = (n == len);
    wvalid = 1;
    do @(posedge aclk); while (!wready);
    #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d W  beat %0d data=0x%0h strb=%b last=%0d  addr 0x%0h lanes %0d-%0d", cycle, n, wdata, wstrb, wlast, beat_a, lanes[7:0], lanes[15:8]);
  end
  wvalid = 0; wdata = 'x; wstrb = 'x; wlast = 0; beat_m = 0;
endtask

// Wait for the write response of one transaction with this ID.
task automatic b_wait(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id);
  do @(posedge aclk); while (!(bvalid && bready && bid == id));
  last_bresp = bresp;                       // sampled at the edge, before the subordinate moves on
  #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d B  id=%0d %0s", cycle, id, resp_name(last_bresp));
endtask

// A complete write. order 0 offers the address, then the first beat one cycle later whether or
// not the address has been taken yet (a manager must never make WVALID wait for AWREADY); 1 offers
// the beats first and the address after beat 0; 2 offers the address and beat 0 in the same cycle.
// Returns after B, with the response in last_bresp.
task automatic axi_write(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                         input logic [1:0] burst, input int order = 0, input logic lock = 0);
  case (order)
    1: fork
         w_burst(addr, len, size, burst);
         begin @(posedge aclk); #1 aw_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock); end
       join
    2: fork
         aw_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock);
         w_burst(addr, len, size, burst);
       join
    default: fork
         aw_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock);
         begin @(posedge aclk); #1 w_burst(addr, len, size, burst); end
       join
  endcase
  b_wait(id);
endtask

// The read address channel: offer the request and remember it for the beats that come back.
task automatic ar_issue(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                        input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock = 0);
  arq_addr[id][arq_tail[id]] = addr; arq_len[id][arq_tail[id]] = len; arq_size[id][arq_tail[id]] = size;
  arq_burst[id][arq_tail[id]] = burst; arq_tail[id] = (arq_tail[id] + 1) % 8;
  arid = id; araddr = addr; arlen = len[7:0]; arsize = size; arburst = burst; arlock = lock; arvalid = 1;
  do @(posedge aclk); while (!arready);
  #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d AR id=%0d addr=0x%0h len=%0d size=%0d %0s%0s", cycle, id, addr, len, size, burst_name(burst), lock ? " exclusive" : "");
  arvalid = 0; araddr = 'x; arlen = 'x; arsize = 'x; arburst = 'x; arid = 'x; arlock = 0;
endtask

// Collect read beats until n transactions have ended (their RLAST). Each beat lands in rdq[rid][k]
// with only the bytes of the transfer (lane-shifted down), and rd[] holds the last transaction.
task automatic r_collect(input int n);
  int done = 0, h;
  logic [15:0] lanes;
  logic [63:0] bytes;
  logic [ID_W-1:0] id;
  logic [DATA_W-1:0] data;
  logic [1:0] resp;
  logic last;
  while (done < n) begin
    do @(posedge aclk); while (!(rvalid && rready));
    id = rid; data = rdata; resp = rresp; last = rlast;   // sampled at the edge, before the subordinate moves on
    h = arq_head[id];
    lanes = beat_lanes(arq_addr[id][h], arq_len[id][h], arq_size[id][h], arq_burst[id][h], rdn[id], BUS_BYTES);
    beat_a = beat_addr(arq_addr[id][h], arq_len[id][h], arq_size[id][h], arq_burst[id][h], rdn[id]);
    beat_m = beat_strb(arq_addr[id][h], arq_len[id][h], arq_size[id][h], arq_burst[id][h], rdn[id], BUS_BYTES);
    bytes = (data >> (8 * lanes[7:0])) & ((64'h1 << (8 * (lanes[15:8] - lanes[7:0] + 1))) - 1);
    rdq[id][rdn[id]] = bytes; rrq[id][rdn[id]] = resp;
    #1 if (!quiet) $display("e%0d R  id=%0d beat %0d data=0x%0h %0s%0s  addr 0x%0h lanes %0d-%0d", cycle, id, rdn[id], bytes, resp_name(resp),
                last ? " last" : "", beat_a, lanes[7:0], lanes[15:8]);
    rdn[id] = rdn[id] + 1;
    if (last) begin
      for (int k = 0; k < rdn[id]; k++) begin rd[k] = rdq[id][k]; rr[k] = rrq[id][k]; end
      last_beats = rdn[id]; rdn[id] = 0; arq_head[id] = (h + 1) % 8; done = done + 1;
    end
  end
  beat_m = 0;
endtask

// A complete read: AR, then every beat, into rd[] and rr[].
task automatic axi_read(input logic [ID_W-1:0] id, input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size,
                        input logic [1:0] burst, input logic lock = 0);
  ar_issue(id, addr, len, size, burst, lock);
  r_collect(1);
endtask

// The table of a burst before it runs: the address, lanes and strobe of every beat.
task automatic beat_table(input int unsigned addr, input int len, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [1:0] burst);
  logic [15:0] lanes;
  logic [63:0] s;
  int unsigned a;
  $display("burst at 0x%0h: %0d beat%0s of %0d byte%0s, %0s, bus %0d bytes", addr, len + 1, len ? "s" : "", 1 << size, size ? "s" : "",
           burst_name(burst), BUS_BYTES);
  $display("  beat  address  lanes  strobe");
  for (int n = 0; n <= len; n++) begin
    lanes = beat_lanes(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    s = beat_strb(addr, len, size, burst, n, BUS_BYTES);
    a = beat_addr(addr, len, size, burst, n);
    $display("  %4d  0x%05h  %0d-%0d    %b", n, a[19:0], lanes[7:0], lanes[15:8], s[BUS_BYTES-1:0]);
  end
  if (crosses_4k(addr, len, size, burst)) $display("  this burst crosses a 4 KB boundary");
endtask

// One byte of the memory that owns an address (the fabric's second memory above 0x8000).
function automatic logic [7:0] mem_byte(input int unsigned a);
`ifdef AXI_MEM1
  if (a >= 32'h8000) return `AXI_MEM1.mem[a];
`endif
  return `AXI_MEM.mem[a];
endfunction
task automatic set_byte(input int unsigned a, input logic [7:0] v);
`ifdef AXI_MEM1
  if (a >= 32'h8000) `AXI_MEM1.mem[a] = v;
  else `AXI_MEM.mem[a] = v;
`else
  `AXI_MEM.mem[a] = v;
`endif
endtask

// The memory, n bytes from addr, one bus word per group.
task automatic dump(input int unsigned addr, input int n);
  string line;
  int unsigned a = (addr / 16) * 16;
  while (a < addr + n) begin
    line = $sformatf("0x%05h ", a[19:0]);
    for (int i = 0; i < 16; i++) begin
      if (i % BUS_BYTES == 0) line = {line, " "};
      line = {line, $sformatf(" %02h", mem_byte(a + i))};
    end
    $display("%s", line);
    a = a + 16;
  end
endtask

// Fill n bytes from addr with first, first+1, ... so untouched bytes stay recognisable.
task automatic mem_fill(input int unsigned addr, input int n, input logic [7:0] first = 8'h00);
  for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) set_byte(addr + i, first + i[7:0]);
endtask

// Drive nothing for n cycles.
task automatic idle(input int n);
  repeat (n) @(posedge aclk);
  #1;
endtask
ConceptWhen may a subordinate assert RVALID for a read?
Read the waveformThree beats come back on the R channel. In which cycle is beat 1, the value 3b, taken?
Three beats, two stalls
012345rvalidrreadyrdatax3a3b3crlast

One value per cycle; the edge at the end of a cycle samples that cycle's values.

ConceptA four-beat read hits an error on its third beat. What does the subordinate do?

Remember

  • A read is one request on AR and ARLEN + 1 beats on R. It is complete at the handshake of the beat that carries RLAST.
  • RVALID rises only after the AR handshake and never waits for RREADY; RREADY may wait for RVALID or be high in advance.
  • A beat the manager has not taken is frozen: RDATA, RRESP, RID and RLAST stay until the handshake. Dropping RREADY is legal on any beat.
  • Every beat carries its own RRESP, and an error beat does not shorten the burst.
  • A monitor counts beats at edges where RVALID and RREADY are both 1, never at RVALID alone.

Practice